Almost Famous: 3 artists on the brink of a breakout

Almost Famous: 3 artists on the brink of a breakout

With bold new releases, JISOO, Jenna Raine, Maddox Batson aren’t household names yet—but you’ll want to say you heard them first
Byline photo of Bryce Hickman
Bryce Hickman, Senior Staff Reporter
Apr 7, 2025

Chappell Roan. Tyler, the Creator. Sabrina Carpenter. Post Malone.

The names etched into our playlists. The voices that soundtrack our lives.

Earbuds go in.

The familiar playlist goes on.

It’s habitual. It’s unconscious.

It’s comforting. It’s safe.

And—if we’re being honest—it’s limiting.

Because every time we hit play on that one song again, we’re saying no to the hundreds—no, thousands—of songs we’ve never heard.

We’re gatekeeping our own taste.

Sure, it feels risky to roll the dice on a new artist. But most tracks ask for less than three minutes of your time. 

Let’s be real: we know within 30 seconds if it’s worth a spot on the playlist.

And if it’s not? No harm done.

But if it is? You just found your next obsession.

Still, when you’re stepping into unfamiliar territory, it helps to have a guide.

Consider this your map.

These three artists may not yet be temples—but they’re building something that may one day be worth worshipping. 

Raised on ‘90s country, church choir vocals and One Direction pop, Maddox Batson has turned those influences into something all his own. With viral covers, co-writing credits on Lana Del Rey and Quavo’s “Tough” and heartfelt originals like “X’s,” the Alabama-based multi-instrumentalist is proving you’re never too young to making music. Image Courtesy of: Warner Records
Maddox Baston

Since launching his career with covers of country artists like Zach Bryan and Red Clay Strays, 15-year-old Maddox Baston is starting to step out of the shadows. Now writing original music, Baston shows he’s more than a cover artist—he’s carving out a sound all his own with music that’s boyish, honest and self-aware.

His latest single, “Girl in Green,” is earnest and hopelessly sweet. He’s not trying to write about midlife heartbreak or existential dread—he knows his lane. “Girl in Green” is a country-pop crush anthem, and it wears its simplicity like a badge of honor.

Think: Justin Bieber with a southern drawl. The acoustic strumming and down-home metaphors are familiar, but it comes with a sense of sincerity. It’s not reinventing anything—but it doesn’t need to. It knows the pop formula–its up-tempo, with a catchy chorus and a bouncy beat… 

This one’s for fans of clean-cut choruses, teenage longing and country twang with a radio-ready gloss.

Raised on ‘90s country, church choir vocals and One Direction pop, Maddox Batson has turned those influences into something all his own. With viral covers, co-writing credits on Lana Del Rey and Quavo’s “Tough” and heartfelt originals like “X’s,” the Alabama-based multi-instrumentalist is proving you’re never too young to making music. Image Courtesy of: Warner Records
Jenna Raine turns coming-of-age moments into sing-it-out-the-window pop. With over 370 million streams and viral hits like “It Is What It Is,” her new EP "Only Started Growing" arrives April 25, packed with personal lyrics and big hooks. Image Courtesy of: Warner Records
Jenna Raine

There’s no shortage of breakup songs. But there’s a shortage of breakup songs that try to make you feel better. Jenna Raine is aiming to fix that.

Her latest single, “Good Grief,” reframes romantic fallout through a lens of optimism. Raine isn’t wallowing—she’s reassuring. Instead of rehashing heartbreak, she reframes it with lyrics that read like texts from a friend who shows up when you need them most: “You can finally breathe,” she sings. “You’ll be glad he’s the one that got away.”

It’s an antidote to the moody ballads we usually associate with heartbreak. Instead of replaying the wreckage, Raine guides the listener toward the relief that often follows. The track’s bright pop production and upbeat tempo make the message feel even more genuine—not forced, just refreshing.

What stands out most is Raine’s approachability. She’s not preaching. She’s not posturing. She’s talking to you, not at you. The result is a song that feels like a warm hug and could make it a playlist staple.

Raine’s roots show—fans of Taylor Swift’s early work will hear echoes here—but her voice, both literal and artistic, is lighter, warmer and all her own.

 “Good Grief” isn’t naive—it’s a knowing, comforting kind of pop. And it’s catchy enough to stick even if you’re not going through anything.

Sometimes you just need a song that feels like fresh air. This is that.

Jenna Raine turns coming-of-age moments into sing-it-out-the-window pop. With over 370 million streams and viral hits like “It Is What It Is,” her new EP “Only Started Growing” arrives April 25, packed with personal lyrics and big hooks. Image Courtesy of: Warner Records
After making history as the first Korean female soloist to sell over a million albums, BLACKPINK’s JISOO returns with AMORTAGE—a vivid, emotional journey through the stages of love. With over 79 million Instagram followers and billions of streams, the singer, actress and global ambassador for brands like Dior and Cartier continues to carve her own path in music and beyond. Image Courtesy: JISOO // Warner Records
JISOO

You don’t need to be fluent in K-pop to get swept up by “AMORTAGE.”

Former BLACKPINK member JISOO’s new mini-LP is only four songs long, but its speeds through an entire relationship in under 15 minutes.

The title—a fusion of “amor” (love) and “montage”—says it all. The album plays like a cinematic journey through a relationship: the spark, the glow, the crash, the quiet aftermath.

JISOO brings drama, softness and charisma in equal measure. From the dizzying rush of “Earthquake” to the bittersweet goodbye of “Hugs and Kisses,” she delivers a love story without needing a screenwriter. It’s compact, but nothing feels rushed.

Even if you’ve never dipped into K-pop, this is an easy entry point.

There’s emotional clarity in every line, every note, every beat drop. And her voice? Magnetic. It shimmers in the high points and aches in the lows.

This isn’t just a breakup album. It’s a four-song film for your ears—short, sharp and stunning.

 JISOO may be singing in Korean, but it doesn’t matter; she’s communicating something you can feel.

After making history as the first Korean female soloist to sell over a million albums, BLACKPINK’s JISOO returns with AMORTAGE—a vivid, emotional journey through the stages of love. With over 79 million Instagram followers and billions of streams, the singer, actress and global ambassador for brands like Dior and Cartier continues to carve her own path in music and beyond. Image Courtesy: JISOO // Warner Records
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