Queue the Alt-Boy Tears: 10 Pop Stars on the Rise

Dynamic new faces in pop force "underground" listeners to recognize pop’s power, leaving them with catchy choruses to weep over.

Written by Hasina Shah

llustrated by Gregory Muggli

Alt-boys. We all know one. You know, the guy in the baggy jeans and vintage band tee who says he’ll show you some new music but, when passed the aux cord, plays Arctic Monkeys AM/PM and acts as though he’s the one who discovered it. While there’s nothing wrong with his music taste, he’ll likely find something wrong with yours, especially if you’re a lover of pop music. So, let’s make our local alt-boy cry by queuing up these 10 pop stars on the rise.

Sarah Kinsley

21-year-old Sarah Kinsley burst onto the music scene in 2020 with her earnest and intricate debut EP, The Fall. With dreamy vocals and bouncy, ethereal beats, Kinsley gripped audiences as a one-woman singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer. The following year, she released her sophomore EP, The King. Written aboutKinsley’s personal lamentations about getting older, the swelling piano riffs and poignant lyrics made her a force to be reckoned with. She released her third EP, Cypress, in June and gave a stellar performance during the second weekend of ACL Fest. It’s no doubt we’ll be hearing more of Kinsey’s dreamy, dramatic ballads as she shakes off the existential dread of love, loss and finding oneself through it all.

Songs most likely to elicit alt-boy tears:
“I Can Feel It”
“The King”
“I’m Not A Mountain”
“Hills of Fire”
“Green”

Isaac Dunbar

Known for his whimsical sound, unique lyrical assemblage that expertly captures euphoric feelings of young love, and vocal range on par with the likes of Freddie Mercury, 19-year-old Isaac Dunbar has already proven himself to be a musical icon. At just 14 years old, he penned the anthem “Makeup Drawer,” inspired by his experiences with homophobia as a young teen. Two years later, his first EP, Balloons Don’t Float Here, was released. In his latest EP, Banish The Banshee, Dunbar perfects theatrical displays of affection with hits like “Bleach” and “Tainted Love.” Dunbar employs explosive synth rhythms and endorphin boosting melodies to create music you can’t help but dance to and feel invigorated by. We’ve certainly not seen the last of this young pop star-in-the-making and if one thing is for sure, whatever he does next will be undeniably Isaac Dunbar.

Songs most likely to elicit alt-boy tears:
“Bleach”
“Makeup Drawer”
“Blonde”
“Scorton’s Creek-Reimagined”
“Fool’s Paradise”

Maude Latour

Maude Latour is often compared to big names like Lorde or Phoebe Bridgers because she captures the chaos of young love and growing up through her effervescent sound and poetic lyrics. A self-produced singer-songwriter, Latour recorded most of her earlier music from her dorm room, and still releases accompanying music videos that hold the same home-grown appeal. Songs like “Superfruit” and “Walk Backwards” showcase the unique way Latour mixes elements of classic upbeat tempos and a bubbly style with serious lyrics about mortality and experiences of divine love. Her pitch-perfect vocals and dance-worthy instrumentals are pure pop in its best form. With the release of her new EP, 001, in September, along with a slew of live performances, including ACL Festival, Latour’s notoriety and fanbase has grown by the day.

Songs most likely to elicit alt-boy tears:
“Walk Backwards”
“Cyclone”
“Probabilities”
“Lola”
“Clean”

Boy Pablo

Born Nicolas Muñoz, Boy Pablo blasted onto the music scene with songs like “Dance, Baby!” and “Feeling Lonely.” Pablo expertly blends mellow synth beats with upbeat guitar riffs and drums you feel in your chest to create a sound completely unique to the Chilean-Norwegian singer-songwriter. By incorporating his Latine heritage into his music with songs like “Te Vas // Don’t Go,” and “Vamos A La Playa,” Boy Pablo shows his Latine fans that embracing their heritage through art can garner major success — this secured his spot as one of the most dynamic up-and-coming musicians of today’s music. His latest single, “Be Mine,” was released in July and boasts the same upbeat, sad-boy sound his fans have grown to love.

Songs most likely to elicit alt-boy tears:
“Dance, Baby!”
“Feeling Lonely”
“Sick Feeling”
“T-Shirt”
“Leave me alone!”

Samia

Samia’s sound is the perfect addition to an angsty, sad-girl playlist. Soft yet bold, moody and resolved, songs like “21” and “Is There Something in the Movies,” showcase the 25-year-old's range as a creator. Her 2020 album, The Baby, solidified Samia’s place as a gamechanger and artist on the rise with its minimal lofi backing instruments and her crystal clear voice. Samia developed thoughtful tracks that invited second listens and reimagined versions of the album’s songs a year after its release. Samia’s newest single, “Kill Her Freak Out,” bodes well for those hoping for a new album from her in the next year.

Songs most likely to elicit alt-boy tears:
“Minnesota-MICHELLE Remix”
“21”
“Big Wheel”
“Someone Tell the Boys”
“Elephant”

Claud

Claud brilliantly captures the yearning for deep love that most people have trouble articulating. The 23-year-old musician released their first EP, Toast, in 2018, followed by fan-favorite singles like “Wish You Were Gay,” and “If I Were You.” With lyrics that cut to the core feeling of desire, paired with bouncing vocals and dreamy instrumentals, Claud offers a unique approach to singing about a love they may never have. Released in June, their newest single “Go Home!” uses the same upbeat approach to confront complex feelings of discomfort and inferiority. Claud continues to grow their loyal fanbase by unapologetically sharing their experiences of being non-binary and queer through music that feels authentic and celebratory.

Songs most likely to elicit alt-boy tears:
“Soft Spot”
“Go Home!”
“Gold”
“That’s Mr. Bitch To You”
“Guard Down”

Easha

New Jersey based singer-songwriter Easha uses her angelic voice to create music that’s both dainty yet powerful. Considerably new to the indie pop scene, Easha has garnered fans with her soft-girl sound and acoustic musings on first love feelings. Combining airtight production of cheeky basslines and satisfying major-minor progressions, Easha’s joyful sound is backed by her gorgeous, melodic singing. She dropped her debut EP, Fact of Fiction, in 2021, along with hit singles like “Manic Pixie Dream Girl,” and “Two Dimensions.” With the release of her newest single “Poor Connection,” we’re hoping for new music in the near future.

Songs most likely to elicit alt-boy tears:
“Manic Pixie Dream Girl”
“Two Dimensions”
“Far Away”
“You Make Me Feel”
“Dying Is a Beautiful Thing to Do”

Rachel Chinouriri

With a voice that’s sweet as honey and a sound that’s light as air, Rachel Chinouriri may be a new name to many, but this trailblazer has been in the music game since 2018. With three albums and a lengthy list of singles and collaborations under her belt, Chinouriri no doubt lands a spot on this list as one of the fastest rising pop-stars of the last three years. She experiments with her soft and smoky vocals to create feelings of joy and melancholia. Chinouriri has proven her musical stylings add much value to the myriad of less popular artists that she’s worked with in the past, like Conducta and Hak Baker. Her recent collaborative project, “Smithereens,” is a soft, lovesick ballad recorded with duo Boyish that undoubtedly adds to her extensive musical toolbelt.

Songs most likely to elicit alt-boy tears:
“So My Darling-Acoustic"
“All I Ever Asked”
“If Only”
“November”
“Mama’s Boy”

Chappell Roan

Dance your insecurities away with Chappell Roan’s stormymusings on break-ups, queerness, and running around naked in cityscapes. With songs that range from moody and soulful to fun and funky, the 24-year-old “Pink Pony Club” singer isn’t afraid to show the vast expanse of human emotions in her music. Roan sets a high bar for newer pop artists. Her use of classical instruments like violins and pianos, paired with the hype beats of the club scene, are integral to her music and are best heard in hit singles like “My Kink is Karma,” and her latest release, “Femininomenon.” Fingers crossed that we catch more of Roan’s brilliance in the coming year in future releases.

Songs most likely to elicit alt-boy tears:
“Pink Pony Club”
“My Kink is Karma”
“Die Young”
“Naked in Manhattan”
“California”

Miloe

Born Bobby Kabeya, 19-year-old Miloe will have you floating with his whimsical,ethereal sound. With instrumentals that are delicate and unique, Miloe emphasizes percussion and draws from sounds heard in Rhumba and Reggae music, all of which are influenced by his Congolese heritage. He released his self-titled EP in 2017, followed by his Greenhouse EP in 2020. Collaborations with bigger-named artists like Jamila Woods, Vagabon and PawPaw Rod show how dynamic and incredibly creative the young musician truly is. His recent EP, Gaps, allows listeners to travel into his world with sonic sounds of electric guitars, ‘80s era synths and mellow rhythms. With such a fast-growing repertoire, t’s clear that Miloe is just at the precipice of a successful music career.

Songs most likely to elicit alt-boy tears:
“Winona”
“Elastic”
“Floating”
“Rewind”
“Greenhouse”

Whether those of us who prefer “underground,” “alternative,” styles want to admit it or not, pop music is undoubtedly on the rise. As more diverse artists gain popularity within their genres of music and fall into mainstream circles, fans are more likely to see themselves reflected in the music they love. If music is for everyone, pop music should be celebrated just as much as any other style for creating access points for all people to find music that moves them.

Afterglow ATXNovember 8, 2022hasina shah, gregory muggli, pop