There are several small artists who should get better attention. They deserve to be heard more often and I also believe they will rise to the top of the music charts within the next decade. Small artists underrated in today’s world. There are some artists on here you might consider “big”, but underrated because listeners consider them to be “one-hit wonders”. 

These artists evolutioning the pop industry, changing the true definition of pop. Making listeners question whether to create a new genre or an underlying category under pop. They all call it “hyperpop” or “digicore”. They convince the audience pay attention to them because of the new breed of music they created, the turning heads are what is gonna make these artists reach the top of their careers.

The first one I’ll get into is the one who started catchy tunes in the early 2000’s from the single Break the Rules and the collab single with Icona Pop I Love It, Charli XCX. She created some of the first few pieces of hyperpop because she was close with the one who started it all, SOPHIE. SOPHIE passed away at the beginning of this year, leaving a footprint on the world. She helped Charli develop her music style into what it is today. XCX also works with and is close friends with A.G. Cook, another trailblazer who started hyperpop.  From that alone, she has the talent and experience to bring herself to the top.

One would argue that there were only those hit singles, and that was it. Yes, the two songs you could consider repetitive pop, but she has made more songs than just that if you look her up. From Pop 2 to Vroom Vroom to Charli and how I’m feeling now she has quite the variety. Charli also has two new singles out right now called Good Ones (with one of the most iconic videos in my opinion) and New Shapes featuring Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek. 

The next artist is Charli XCX’s protege, Elio. Her name derives from the main character of the movie Call Me By Your Name.  Elio’s music, considered as “bedroom pop”, is memorable with the signature sounds and lyrics. People “think of references like Clairo and The 1975 mixed together by a girl in her early 20s with unwaveringly good taste and you’ll have a strong idea of what music Elio makes”(i-D VICE). Elio started her career with her first single during the beginning of Covid-19 with a bop called ‘My Friends Online’ which eventually led to her EP’s u and me but mostly me and Can You Hear Me Now?

“She hasn’t made it onto the radio yet” is what some of you might argue, making the claim that if she isn’t on there she won’t make it anywhere. Elio’s music is on Apple Music Radio and BBC Radio One. The song aired the most frequent was CHARGER.

This next artist is still a high school student and is currently one of the “kings of hyperpop”, Glaive. He has done collaborations with some of the biggest hyperpop artists right now; Aldn and Ericdoa. Glaive started his career by making short songs and collecting a fanbase on SoundCloud. 

His current manager, Dan Awad, noticed him on SoundCloud and Discord after his second song Sick released. Glaive created the extended play Cypress Grove back in late 2020 and an EP called All Dogs Go to Heaven this past August and just this past October he released an EP with Ericdoa called Then I’ll Be Happy.

Some would argue that his songs are too short. It is actually an ongoing trend that people start to prefer shorter, sweeter songs than longer ones that drag out. It also brings the listener back, craving for more from them, I can certainly say that with Glaive’s songs as a fan myself.

Au/Ra is the last artist I want to mention who deserves better in the future. Her music considered as electronic pop, but still alternative vibes. It’s much on the darker side lyric-wise other than your normal happier pop songs.

From being part of Death Stranding with the song Ghost with Alan Walker. With 3 top hits with Alan Walker: Ghost, Darkside, and Dead Girl!

Another might argue that she only has a hit song, Panic Room, because of Tik Tok. It isn’t true because she’s had multiple hit songs. Right off the bat with her first song Concrete Jungle, it immediately got over 15 million streams worldwide. That ended up leading to her debut EP Outsiders then a year later it was the EP X Games. After a few singles like Stay Happy and Ideas, she released an album this year (2021) called Soundtrack to an Existential Crisis.

These aren’t all the artists I could’ve listed, and I’m sure you as the reader could’ve listed a few more yourselves. Newer, smaller artists continue making an impact on the industry. Eventually we will hear different types of pop on the radio and the trends will change again. So take the time when you can to explore your horizons and listen to playlists with multiple different and new artists.