Leon Thomas, a GRAMMY-winning artist, producer, and actor, has emerged as a leading voice in R&B, seamlessly fusing R&B, soul, and rock in his music. His breakthrough year (2024) included a GRAMMY win for SZA's No. 1 hit "Snooze" and his sophomore album 'MUTT' being named Billboard's No. 1 R&B Album of the Year. This year, he released his newest EP 'PHOLKS.'

Cultural impact

• He accepted the Breakthrough of the Year Award at Billboard's R&B Hip-Hop Power Players 2025 event.

• His NPR Tiny Desk and Late Show performances went viral, and he earned two BET Awards nominations.

• George Clinton "knighted" him during Coachella, and he made his full-set debut at Austin City Limits in November.

Critical response

• The Culture Crypt noted that his sophomore album 'MUTT' "dives deep into the complexities of relationships and identity, all wrapped in a unique sound that fuses R&B with jazzy soul and rock." Read full review

• Modern Music Analysis observed that "'Sexually explicit, emotionally irresponsible, and utterly smooth, all tenants of good, modern R&B are all present here' in 'MUTT'." Read full review

• Always Prai described 'MUTT' as "a masterful blend of R&B, neo-soul, and hip-hop, showcasing Thomas’s evolution as an artist and his ability to craft personal narratives that are universally relatable." Read full review

Following years of pursuing music and signing with Island Records in 2019, Lola Young released her sophomore album, This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway, on June 21, 2024. The South East London artist shot into the spotlight with her breakout hit "Messy" in 2025.

Cultural impact

• Her single “Messy” gained significant traction, growing from TikTok virality to radio play and festival stages, and was featured in posts by influencers like Kylie Jenner.

• Young performed “Messy” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and made her Coachella debut in 2025.

• She was also featured on Tyler, the Creator’s track “Like Him” from his album "CHROMAKOPIA"

Critical response

• The Guardian described Lola Young’s recent work as “a winningly messy mix of zingers and vulnerability,” highlighting her “scuffed vividness.” Read full review

• NME praised her “knack for storytelling that feels real and even unflattering,” noting her songs are “fierce, funny and assertive.” Read full review

• The New York Times suggested Young “could be Gen Z’s Amy Winehouse, without the tragic ending, or its Adele, with plenty more edge,” comparing her “world-building rawness” to Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan. Read full profile

Olivia Dean has rapidly emerged as one of the UK's most promising new voices, earning widespread acclaim for her soulful sound and compelling songwriting. Her rise has been marked by standout singles that have gone viral on social media and a rising number of live performances.

Cultural impact

• Olivia Dean performed live at BST Hyde Park in London as part of the festival's main lineup.

• She was an opener alongside Amber Mark on Sabrina Carpenter's most recent global tour.

• She has quickly captured the world's attention through her lead singles from her sophomore album all going viral across social media.

Critical response

• The New York Times highlighted that 'Messy' "makes clear Dean’s pop-soul expertise" and "gives vintage Memphis soul a sleek electronic gloss in The Hardest Part." Read full review

• Rolling Stone praised Dean's "impenetrable confidence" and noted that "her star power is radiant and fueled by more than just charisma," singling out "Man I Need" as an "undeniable hit." Read full review

sombr has rapidly emerged as one of pop’s most promising new voices, propelled by the runaway success of "Back to Friends," which topped both streaming and radio charts. His debut album, I Barely Know Her, and a sold-out international tour have cemented his reputation as a breakout star in 2025.

Cultural impact

• sombr made his television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in May 2025, performing "Back to Friends" for a national audience.

• He launched his first headlining tour, The Late Nights & Young Romance Tour, selling out major venues across North America and Europe, including New York’s Gramercy Theatre and Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre and Fonda Theatre.

• sombr celebrated the release of his debut album with a free pop-up concert in Dimes Square in August 2025, drawing crowds to his hometown for a special live performance event.

Critical response

• Pitchfork noted that "His debut full-length, I Barely Know Her, follows in the lineage of his viral influences... It’s music to sink into, an electronic dreamy mush that’s somehow equal parts Foster the People and Mazzy Star. He also has pretty solid pop instincts. It’s easy to appreciate his way with a hook, and his vocal range remains impressive beneath all the effects." Read full review

• Rolling Stone praised the album, writing, "The 20-year-old musician’s knack for luscious harmonies, melancholy lyrics, and perfect melodies — plus his boundless rockstar confidence — make for a standout LP on I Barely Know Her... Sombr performs with a distinct internal confidence and external charm that has been notably absent in the withering releases from many of his male contemporaries in pop." Read full review

• Billboard highlighted Sombr’s crossover appeal: "Sombr’s two fast-rising hit singles, 'Back to Friends' and 'Undressed,' have not only exploded on streaming services as crossover pop hits, but have also minted the 19-year-old singer-songwriter at rock and alternative platforms that have been starving for fresh new talent." Read full review

The Marías' breakthrough year saw the release of their second studio album, Submarine, which emerged from a creative breakthrough following the romantic split between María Zardoya and Josh Conway, alongside a worldwide deal with Universal Music Publishing Group.

Cultural impact

• The Marías embarked on the 'Submarine Tour' in 2025 and performed at major festivals including Coachella, All Things Go, Shaky Knees, and Hinterland.

• They toured with Billie Eilish on her sold-out arena run.

• NPR welcomed The Marías for their long-awaited debut on the 'Tiny Desk' live performance series during Latin Music Month.

Critical response

• The Line of Best Fit praised Submarine, stating, "'Each intentional, instrumental flourish... along with María Zardoya’s beautifully layered melodies throughout, proves that focusing on the tiny details can yield one of the most lush, expansive albums of the year.'" Read full review

• On Submarine, The Washington Times observed that The Marías "'sharpen those features without losing the genre-bending experimentation that characterized their EPs and major label, Grammy-nominated debut album, 'Cinema.'" Read full review

• "'Submarine' can be a puzzling, intriguing listen," Clash Music noted, adding that the band "never surrender their pop touch." Read full review