I can’t imagine breaking into the music industry in the midst of a global pandemic, but these brave artists have done it, with vibrant, personal, and unique sets of music. From country to classical-pop fusion to jazz, here are three fresh solo artists you won’t want to miss.

Good Time by Niko Moon is a debut album, but not the first music Moon has been part of: Niko Moon has written songs for a number of high-profile country bands, including Zac Brown Band, Diercks Bentley, Rascall Flatts, and more. He also helped start the group Sir Rosevelt, but Good Time is his first album of all solo original music. He caught my attention with this quirky cover art that reminds me of Nirvana or Twenty One Pilots.

 

Chloe Flower’s self-titled album is not only her solo music debut, but it’s also the first entry in her self-created musical genre: popsical (pop + classical). This means she features not only skilled and moving instrumentals, but also hip hop beats and other popular music elements. She’s been working on this album a long time, but was (like us all) irrevocably changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Me, I’m a sucker for classical crossover so I’m excited for this one.

 

Yellow by Emma-Jean Thackray is a “transcendent” jazz album which seeks to capture the shared human experience. The British Thackray incorporates a number of influences, including 1970s fusion music, P-Funk, Alice Coltrane, and the Beach Boys. I don’t listen to a ton of jazz but those influences and that cover? I’m already on board.