Summer is fast approaching, and the complexities of life must give way to some measure of excitement and joy in the form of a cold drink on a hot day or a fresh tune on a warm night. As music lovers, we must keep our playlists full of new sounds to lift our spirits and sharpen our minds. Here are LADYGUNN’s top artists to watch this summer.
J APPIAH
J Appiah wields his hybrid sound with deadly and precise intent. He’s catchy and appealing, but there’s quite an edge to his music that can be both sultry and intensely emotional. It defies any single genre, moving deftly through something far too complex and rich to be called simply “pop.”
In his latest outing, “Lucy,” the British-Ghanaian artist alchemizes an elegant, sweet sound out of a simple downtempo beat, some ethereal synth melodies, and a soft-strummed guitar for an intimately emotional space and a refreshing alt-rock influence that is sure to cool you off on a hot summer evening.
KARISELLE
Known for her appearances on Netflix’s “Perfect Match,” Kariselle Snow has been working her way through the music scene, building a solid platform in which to unveil her debut country single, “Best I Ever Had,” just in time for summer vibes.
Drawing inspiration from a past relationship, the song reflects on the valuable lessons of true love while grappling with the disillusionment that arises when everything seems fine on the surface. Despite the absence of major conflicts, it becomes clear that diverging goals and aspirations inevitably create a rift. This heartfelt tribute captures both the beauty of what was and the bittersweet reality of moving forward.
LAUREN RUTH WARD
Lauren Ruth Ward deserves to be called the new voice of rock & roll, and with good reason. Her unique vocals evoke memories of Janis Joplin and Florence Welch, while her wild on-stage presence and charisma possess an undeniable Jagger-esque energy.
This summer, Lauren’s going to kick it off with her newest album, “Archetype 2. Loved Lost And Loved Again,” arriving on June 20th and followed by a rather unique tour later this year. Embracing a philosophy of healing and self-discovery, she shares a powerful mantra: “Befriend your past, and others’ pasts. Cleanse away learned shame. Establish your own rules. Turn off outside judgment. Tune into your moral compass.” This journey is about shedding old beliefs and cultivating self-trust, marking a transformative phase of personal growth.
DAVEY LEGEND
Through music, Davey Legend transformed his struggles into a powerful narrative of awakening. The ticking clock symbolizes the urgency he felt before seeking help, marking a pivotal moment in his mental health journey. Blending EDM, Midwest emo, and pop influences, “Bang!” stands as a testament to resilience and a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of modern existence.
LACES
Summer is the name of the game, of course, and LACES (previously known as Charlotte Sometimes) is dropping an anthem titled “I Quit for Summer,” a cheeky and empowering ode to escaping the grind of the rat race, inspired by the legendary and always relevant cult film “Office Space.”
Known for her vibrant alt-pop sound, LACES captures the spirit of those yearning for freedom and joy. Set to be the final single before her much-anticipated “WORK” EP, the synth-heavy track takes cues from 80s pop anthems and features a rich, catchy sound driven by a funky-groovy bass that immediately makes the song unforgettable.
EMILIA VAUGHN
Emilia Vaughn is a rising voice from San Diego, California, whose unique sound and bold presence are quickly capturing the industry’s attention. With support from DNT Entertainment, she gained recognition with her debut EP, “eighteen.” Her 2025 single, “Rock Music, Girl Secrets,” broke into Tidal’s Chill Pop playlist, while her engaging music videos have premiered on MTV.
Looking forward to this summer, Emilia’s joined forces with Omnia’s resident DJ Mikey Francis to turn her 2025 hit song/video, “Rock Music, Girl Secrets,” into a veritable club-ready banger that reimagines the track’s vibes set to the intense strobe and heat of the dancefloor.
This club mix perhaps serves to set the stage for Emilia’s forthcoming single, “Limbo,” sitting right now on the pre-sale stage and will be available this coming June 6th.
EVENSON
He wears the badge of Pop Virtuoso truthfully and with honor, for he truly is. Evenson is a mighty musician in pop right now, with a truly vanguardist sound that never fails to impress.
In his newest musical venture, “You,” he adopts the guise of “psychedelic neo-soul” to deliver a truly remarkable musical experience. Evenson assures us that “You” brings together SADE and Parliament-Funkadelic. Something rarely—if ever—attempted, let alone achieved, and for that, we count him a madman and a true trailblazer. Be advised, though: He’s just getting started. He’s got more music coming this summer through July.
BITTER:SWEET
The baroque sound of trip-hop project Bitter:Sweet comes back to turn those hot summer nights into trippy, unforgettable, aesthetically impeccable summer nights that feel out of French cinema. The duo’s comeback album is aptly titled “Baby Is Back,” and out of it comes a truly stunning piece called “Rosary,” a tough song about yearning for the power to save another.
Regarding the song itself, singer and songwriter Shana Halligan says she went out with a group of friends to the legendary burlesque/strip club Jumbo’s Clown Room, where she describes locking eyes with one of the gorgeous performers who—despite her amazing show—didn’t seem to want to be there, “I wanted to save her somehow, to hold up a mirror and show her the brilliance she couldn’t see in herself” says Shana. The track’s slow-burning, sultry vibe sets the tone, pulling us into the very moment that inspired it, a space where sensuality, compassion, and wonder beautifully intertwine.
STEPHEN LIND
Summer is here, and June is also Pride Month! Rising alt-pop queer icon Stephen Lind is going to remind us of this celebration with his upcoming summer anthem, “My Paradise.” This song is all about being fully present and embracing the moment without letting reservations and fears hold you back.
“My Paradise” serves as Stephen’s opening for this summer, where he’s got a few shows lined up as he puts the finishing touches on his highly anticipated debut album, “Orange Skies.”
NAOMI JANE
Naomi Jane is making serious waves this summer, and you’d better pay attention. After her breakout hit “sweet talk” racked up over 2.5 million streams, she came up with a brilliantly bold plan to drop six singles leading up to her debut album, “Dissonance,” in February 2026.
Kicking things off with “Lightning,” which exploded onto the scene with an addictive hook and a music video that shot past 500K views in just two weeks, Naomi is tapping into a fan base that’s hungry for more and giving it to them (us!) with “Mr. Incognito,” a dark, alt-pop exploration of perception and reality, dropping this next June 20.
TYLER BRADLEY WALKER
If your summer is set to be more introspective, and you’re down for some more long-format releases to chew on with a warm cup of tea by your side, then look no further than Tyler Bradley Walker‘s solo project.
Tyler, known as one half of the experimental duo Gone to Color, is going solo with his album “The Sun The Moon The Earth and Me,” set to drop on June 20. His new single, “Moon Broke Quiet,” featuring indie legend Tim Rutili of Califone, weaves haunting synths and pulsing beats into an ethereal soundscape.
Raised near Atlanta in a creatively rich environment, Walker’s genre-blurring sound combines shoegaze, rock, and electronic elements. Co-produced by Brian Deck, the album features contributions from notable artists like Mikel Rouse and Lydia Adelle Brown.
RYAL
Lastly, but certainly not least, everyone’s favorite synth-pop duo, Ryal! With their unique fusion of pulsing modular synths, analog drum machines, and live instrumentation, Ryal crafts disco-pop/synth-pop bangers that elegantly intertwine playful and profound themes.
This summer, Ryal is set to release “Bend a Little” on June 15. This track features a stunning string arrangement from Christopher White and rhythmic contributions from Michael Riddleberger, known for his work with Taylor Swift. To celebrate, they will debut a live performance music video and perform in NYC on July 12 at Umbra and August 16 at Culture Lab LIC.