It’s never too late to revamp the playlist.
With the inconsistency of the spring weather, each day calls for a new sonic vibe. Luckily, there are new emerging acts across genres, providing listeners with a wide variety of options to soundtrack their day. From recently debuted artists to music industry connoisseurs, the last quarter of the school year is sure to end on a good note.
Read on to learn about the Daily Bruin’s new playlist additions.
Bella Litsa
From the stage to the music scene, Bella Litsa is bringing the drama.
Bella Litsa, also known as Isabella Komodromos, is a Cypriot American artist based in Brooklyn. Her debut album, “Drasticism,” was released Feb. 20 following a steady stream of singles and early projects starting in 2021. Blending pop and indie genres with a darker, emotionally driven and cinematic sound, she crafts songs that reflect her persona as an authentic storyteller. According to an interview with The Ugly Hug, her inspirations come from early exposure to artists like Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk and Roy Orbison, as well as peers and the constantly evolving environments around her.
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Bella Litsa began singing at 13 years old and immersed herself in dance and theater. These disciplines continue to influence her work as she incorporates elements of storytelling and performance into her music, resulting in songs that feel expressive, cinematic and visually driven. Bella Litsa later attended Berklee College of Music, where she further developed her craft. Her upbringing and education now intertwine in her album “Drasticism,” with tracks that feel both intimate and theatrical, shifting between delicate introspection and grand emotion.
In Bella Litsa’s hands, music becomes a spotlight for feelings left unspoken.
– Abriella Nicolalde Schmidt
[Related: Concert preview: Spring brings flourish of must-see live performances, bloom of fresh sounds]
Girlfriend
Girlfriend is ready to make it official.
Girlfriend – also known as Kenya Edwards – is a rising artist from Orlando, Florida, who recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue music. Girlfriend was first exposed to music through her father’s collection of R&B and reggae records. In an interview with LADYGUNN, she cited Janet Jackson and Luther Vandross as her greatest influences. Girlfriend first broke onto the music scene with the release of “It’s Complicated,” her debut EP, which explored the intense and all-consuming emotions that accompany love.
Most recently, Girlfriend released the single “Obsessive” about her experience of being in a noncommitted relationship but still wanting to be committed to her partner. The artist said writing and performing the song gave her an outlet for her emotions. Likewise, Girlfriend, as an alter ego, offers Edwards a means of expressing strong feelings, such as anger and rage, to the world.
With an R&B sound and vulnerable lyricism, Girlfriend is prepared for future listeners to commit.
– Julia Kinion
hemlocke springs
Hemlocke springs is springing into the music scene with infectious verve and abundant personality.
Hemlocke springs – whose birth name is Isimeme “Naomi” Udu – hails from Raleigh, North Carolina. The 27-year-old received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Spelman College in 2021 before obtaining a master’s degree in medical informatics from Dartmouth College a year later. It was while she was at Dartmouth that she began releasing songs on SoundCloud, initially dabbling in a bedroom pop sound on tracks such as “girlfriend,” though her music has since expanded into other genres such as art pop, new wave and alternative dance.
The rising artist released her debut full-length album “the apple tree under the sea” in February, following her 2023 EP “going…going…GONE!” The 33-minute LP has received rave reviews from music critics and includes sing-along-ready tracks such as “sever the blight” and “head, shoulders, knees and ankles.” After opening for Chappell Roan and Conan Gray last year and some of Doja Cat’s European concerts in 2024, the musician seems to be reaching new heights.
As hemlocke springs’ profile grows, she seems set to prove that she can “be the girl!”
– Reid Sperisen
[Related: Album preview: Genre-crossing albums bridge emotions, creativity]
White Flowers
White Flowers are blooming in the UK and beyond.
Born out of Preston, Lancashire, in England, this duo composed of vocalist and keyboardist Katie Drew and guitarist Joey Cobb gained a following in the British music scene with their mix of noir, dream pop and edgy shoegaze. The pair began experimenting on GarageBand as 17-year-olds and found inspiration in the industrial, unglamorous landscapes of their northern roots. This creative foundation led to their 2021 debut album, “Day By Day,” which featured “Night Drive,” their most-streamed track to date. The band solidified its reputation when it opened for Beach House during the European leg of its tour in 2022, a natural pairing given both bands’ mastery of atmospheric dream pop.
The duo returned May 1 with “Dreams For Somebody Else,” their second studio album. Produced by LCD Soundsystem’s Al Doyle, it serves as a modern evolution of the duo’s intimate sound by introducing a notably more upbeat energy without sacrificing their signature hazy aesthetic. A bright electronic and synth-heavy influence is evident in the pulsing rhythms of notable tracks “Heaven” and “Thinking of You.” By anchoring hypnotic layers and loops with Drew’s airy vocals, the duo has delivered a cohesive and compelling sophomore effort – an immersive experience they are set to bring to stages across the UK this fall.
In a world of loud, crowded pop, White Flowers quietly built a dreamscape of escapism and euphoria that is certain to capture hearts.
– Maile Smith
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