Under the radar - 5 artists to lstn. to this week.
LAFLEYNE - Courtesy of Pablo Jomaron
For our 25th week of under the radar, we put the spotlight on five new artists that you should (definitely) pay really close attention to.
Lafleyne (France)
Lafleyne is a French singer, songwriter, and producer whose intimate blend of R&B, pop, and jazz marks her as a rising voice in the francophone music scene. Originating from a family with Malagasy roots, she began creating music in her bedroom and released her debut self-produced single Nana in 2020. Since then, tracks like Chéri (feat. Angie) and her EP Gold Digger (2024) have showcased her poignant lyrics and warm, soulful voice. Known for her delicate production, strong sense of self-expression and refusal to rely on Auto-Tune, Lafleyne continues to carve out a space of resilience and emotional honesty in French R&B.
James Savage (USA)
James Savage is a Louisville‑based R&B artist whose smooth vocals and soul‑baring lyrics are drawing attention in the modern scene. Born in Virginia and raised in Kentucky, he blends gospel roots with influences like Bryson Tiller and Stevie Wonder, crafting songs that feel deeply personal and emotionally raw. His recent singles, including On Time, Look At Me, and Better, demonstrate his growing versatility and commitment to honest storytelling in contemporary R&B.
Merna (Palestine/Canada)
Born Merna Bishouty and formerly known by the stage name Ayah, Merna is a Palestinian-Canadian singer, songwriter and producer based in Toronto. Her early years were deeply shaped by mobility: born in Jordan and raised between the Middle East, Seattle and eventually Canada, she absorbed a wide array of musical influences and started performing as a child. Under the name Ayah, she collaborated with producers including DJ Jazzy Jeff and released the single Xmas Time, labelled by NPR as a “modern soulful approach” to the holiday standard. In 2015, she re-launched her solo career under her birth name Merna with the album The Calling, a record noted for its deeply personal perspective and blends of Arab, African and Western soul rhythms. She released her latest project, Ours to keep, led by the single Magic, in september 2025. Beyond her own artistry, Merna has an established track record as a songwriter and producer, writing for major artists across R&B, hip-hop and pop. Her music stands out for its emotional depth, cultural breadth and fusion of styles, making her a distinctive voice in contemporary soul with an international outlook.
JOA (Norway)
JOA is a 20‑year‑old artist from Oslo whose debut single I Don’t Want Nobody But Your Body (released September 13, 2024) marked her arrival with raw emotional intensity. The piano‑led track deals with heartbreak and the refusal to let go, a vulnerable yet universally resonant theme. Blending folk and pop elements, JOA delivers an intimate vocal performance that confirms she’s a fresh voice worth watching in 2025.
Alec Ferris (USA)
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and producer Alec Ferris has quietly built a reputation for emotive electronic-inflected tracks that blend lush vocals with textured soundscapes. His breakout single Didn’t Even Notice (from the When Summer Comes EP) is fast approaching one million streams on Spotify, marking a milestone in his rising career. With a catalog that spans from intimate ballads to vibrant synth-driven moods, starting with earlier releases such as Only Love (2018) and evolving into his more recent work, Ferris continues to prove himself as a quietly powerful voice in today’s independent electronic and alternative scene.