Vincent

GELO
To think LiAngelo Ball would be relevant in 2025 was not something many anticipated. With his brothers, Lonzo and LaMelo, in the NBA, as well as his father still being the character he is, LiAngelo seemed to be a “background character” regarding his family’s popularity. However, since launching his music career, GELO has quickly become the most notable of the Ball boys, thanks to his hits “Tweaker” and “Can You Please,” with the latter featuring fellow rap artist GloRilla. With these two songs attracting numerous plays, GELO teased the release of his next saw, “Law and Order,” though no date has been announced for when the song will be out of music streaming platforms.

BigXthaPlug
This isn’t the first time BigXthaPlug has been featured on “What We’re Listening To,” though this time isn’t regarding just his new music. Whether it’s singles like “Active,” “Feeling Like Dennis,” and “New Day” or collaborations with Ro$ama on songs like “The Truth” and “Covid-19,” the Texas native has a deep bag of hits to dive into. As for his newest release, after teasing a collaboration with country artist Bailey Zimmerman around Valentine’s Day, the duo dropped “All the Way” today, a hybrid of their two genres.

Tyler Braden
Though his first releases were back in the late 2010s, Tyler Braden has been breaking onto the scene in the last year-plus, thanks in large part to singles such as “DEVIL YOU KNOW,” “ME OR THE DAWN,” and “MORE THAN A PRAYER.” Among others, these songs will be featured on Braden’s first studio album, set to debut on May 16.

Rachel

Ava Max
Ava Max is known for sampling her songs but they’re still good songs. The songs I’ve heard from her are “Not Your Barbie Girl,” “Sweet But Psycho,” “Head and Heart” and “Emotions” which is an unreleased single. Three out of four of the songs are sampled, but they are all great songs to listen to or have as background noise.

BBNO$
I’ve only listened to one song by him because I heard a snippet of it on an Instagram short. “Check” is a catchy song and samples “Low Rider” by War. The song doesn’t offer much lyric-wise, but if you like “Low Rider” it’s worth a listen.

Faith

Keni Titus
Keni Titus, a lesser-known artist with 244,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, has been on repeat for the past two months. Her first album, “Mud on My Superstars,” is relatively short, but each song packs a punch. From confiding in her fears about her next relationships to being hopeful to be comfortable, her debut is one to check out. Her 2024 EP “juliet” is full of soft love songs and growth in her previous relationships. I recommend checking out “comfortable,” “american spirits,” “feels like i’m changing” and “mistake.”

Ricky Mitch and the Coal Miners
Ricky Mitch and the Coal Miners recently released their first album since 2019, “Colorado’s On Fire Again.” I discovered them through their self-titled album from 2017, “RCCM” and fell in love with the atmospheric road trip vibe their music encapsulates. From their most popular song, “Evergreen” to the more acoustic songs on the album, it feels like driving down the Pacific Northwest without a general destination. Their newest album, “Colorado’s on Fire Again” takes a more serious tone but still has the atmospheric tone that makes Ricky Mitch and the Coal Miners who they are. My recommendations are “Lake Missoula,” “Berry Herman” and “El, Imponderable.”

Brianna

Pacing
Pacing, real name Katie McTigue, is a solo artist based in San Jose, California. To no one’s surprise, there is quite a bit of overlap between her and Cheekface, to the point that she’s opening for the band on tour this year. Both of them write songs about mundane topics that have absurd lyrics, but whereas Cheekface dances around their anxiety about these things, Pacing is much more upfront about the emotions these topics bring up. Describing herself as “anti-folk,” her mostly acoustic tunes put these lyrics and her beautiful voice front and center. From neglecting a parking ticket on her car to being self-aware about buying “Live, Laugh, Love” pillows, no concept is too niche or weird for Pacing to explore.

Her second album is coming out this summer, and the lead single, which is about her struggle to cancel her dad’s Planet Fitness membership when he passed away (and is fittingly called “Pl*net F*tness”), is out now. In addition to that song, I also recommend “Live/Laugh/Love,” “Sunny <3,” and “tortilla chip bag song.”

Yungatita
Yungatita is another project based in California, and they were the opening act for Cheekface last year. Fronted by nonbinary singer and lyricist Valentina Zapata, Yungatita is best described as a lo-fi hard rock band: Their lyrics are angsty, and their instrumentals are heavy to match, but there’s always something distant about how their recordings sound. Bringing it all together is Valentina’s voice, which can be sweet one moment while unleashing a heavy metal scream in the next. Their song “7 Weeks and 3 Days” from their debut EP blew up on TikTok when it was released for its signature synth riff and Valentina’s tender vocals, but rest assured, they are far, far more than just a one-hit wonder.

They, too, have a second album coming out soon, and its lead single “Home Appliance” is available now. Beyond that song and “7 Weeks and 3 Days,” I also recommend “Indie Dream Boy,” “Crack of Your Jaw” and “Armchair.”

Ella

Moulin Rouge: The Musical Soundtrack
Moulin Rouge is a show that has taken Broadway by storm. It opened on Broadway in 2019 and has taken modern pop songs and incorporated them into their 1880s backdrop of Paris. The entire album with the original cast is absolutely amazing, but two of the best are definitely “El Tango de Roxanne” and “Backstage Romance.” The latter includes pieces from Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” as well as Britany Spears’ “Toxic.” If you love musical theater and pop music, this album is definitely going to be a favorite. There are absolutely no skips.

Hunter Metts
Sometimes, there are those songs on TikTok that sound like they will be entertaining, but then are a complete letdown. This was not the case. I was honestly pleasantly surprised when I first heard a tidbit of the song, “Weathervane” on TikTok and the entire song is just as good. It’s very slow and relaxing but feels very uplifting at the same time. I haven’t heard any of his other music, but it is definitely worth a listen.

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