Pigeons & Planes' Best New Artists of the Month

Finding new artists is easier than ever, but this creates a problem: it's harder than ever to filter through it all and keep tabs on what's really good. With so many artists popping up every day, it's impossible not to miss out on some fresh faces and new sounds. With that in mind, we'll be highlighting our favorite new acts each month. Here are the best new artists of October.

pinkcaravan! may be new to the game, but she has potential through the roof as she delivers catchy melodies and vivid phrases, all packaged together with a lovable brand. Working closely with producer Namesake., she has developed a unique sound that contrasts joy and childhood memories with darker moments. Her subtle delivery may catch you off off guard and you might find yourself subconsciously humming a few of the St. Louis rapper's records after just a few listens. 

She released her debut EP a very sad birthday earlier this year and you can check it out below.

Describing the setting where Marlin's Dreaming create their music, frontman Semisi says, "Our jam room looks over a sweet ass beach." Considering the sun-drenched guitars, laid back vocals, and overall dreamy sounds that run through their debut album, Lizard Tears, that makes a lot of sense. Their music sounds like a relaxing day at the beach, which is fitting for a group of New Zealanders who met at a local surf shop. Mixing together bits of indie, psychedelic, pop, and surf rock, this is the kind of bright, warm music you'll want to keep in rotation as we head into winter.

Read our interview with Marlin's Dreaming and dive into their debut album here.

Kailee Morgue's major label debut "Medusa" just dropped this month, but her fans have been waiting almost a year. A preview of the Phoenix-born artist's song went viral back in January (read that story here), and before she had any official releases under her belt, she had earned herself a dedicated following who recognized the potential. "Medusa" doesn't disappoint—it's a gorgeous pop song with dark undertones, and the contrast that her name suggests gives it an intriguing edge that fans of Billie Eilish or Purity Ring should appreciate.

Curtis Harding is new to us, but he's been involved with music his whole life. It started with gospel as a child, but he's also rapped in Atlanta, been in a garage band with Black Lips' Cole Alexander, and sang back-up for CeeLo Green. The influences of his eclectic background swirl together in perfect harmony on his new album Face Your Fear. The album is packed with timeless psychedelic soul, and songs like the Danger Mouse-produced "Wednesday Morning Atonement" showcase both Harding's musicianship and his electrifying charisma.

When we spoke with Gabriel Black earlier this year he told us, "Music is my way of coping. I haven't done it to help others to be honest, it's been to help myself and it just so happened that it's also helping others, which has been awesome." And when you listen to Black's music, that's very apparent. Each song is brutally honest and open, written like a diary, and puts you right in Black's shoes. It's impossible to hear, "Baby I'm a sad boy, driving down a highway to hell, and you're always on my mind," and not envision yourself driving down a dark highway at night with a cigarette on your lips and a lost lover on your mind. 

The typical formula for viral success involves over-the-top antics or unbelievable circumstances, but 19-year-old Boston artist Clairo didn't need any of that to win over millions of fans. "As for having a defined brand, I don't really know what I'm doing," Clairo told us in an interview last month. "Sometimes I wish I'd spent more time thinking about it, but I'm happy knowing that my audience has a realistic view of how I really am."

Clairo's genuine nature is part of her charm—and that's why one of her self-made videos has almost three million views—but she's also got the music to match. What she's offered so far is lo-fi bedroom pop, but songs like "Flamin' Hot Cheetos" showcase a songwriting ability that should translate even as her sound evolves.

I still want to know more about 1010 Benja SL. I want to know what inspired this song, what kind of music he listens to, and what he's got planned in terms of new releases. Even with just one song out, Benja is one of the year's most interesting artists, and that's because "Boofiness" is so damn good. It's raw and feels much more real than 99% of music that came out this year, and the simple piano and hand claps backing the vocals only serve to amplify the incredible songwriting.

1010 Benja SL has a SoundCloud page with some radio shows which feature some more of his songs. Check that out here while we wait for more music from this enigmatic artist.

Yaeji has a hit on her hands, but "Drink I'm Sippin On" is hardly her debut single. The Seoul and New York-based singer has been dropping silky dance tracks for months, including a cover of Drake's "Passionfruit" that might be better than the original. Yaeji's a dual threat: she DJs and sings, mostly in a hushed, bassy monotone that has become something of a calling card—especially on the incredible "Drink I'm Sippin On."

"'Drink I'm Sippin On' is non-alcoholic," Yaeji explained, "though its effects are similar to getting drunk: knowingly being misunderstood by others, forgetting what I did yesterday, and feeling comfortable being me. I sip on it as a reminder that I can feel fine if I just let myself."

Remember the name Gordi The Come Up. "Hands Down" and "I See It, You See It" are two unique records and a solid introduction for the rising rapper, both filled with cutting vocals over hard-hitting production. There is precision in each verse and not one filler bar as Gordi displays his intention and ensures his message is clear. He also released a chilling visual to prepare for his debut release Still Waters Run Deep that was just as impressive as the two singles.