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This year already feels like one of musical shifts. Comfort listens are great, and we all have albums that feel like familiar blankets. But there’s also a growing appetite for something that mirrors where we are now: more self-aware, more restless or maybe even a little braver.
As many of us settle into a new stage of adulthood, the songs that once carried us through school, young heartbreaks or early career chaos just don’t hit the same way.
We’re now searching for artists who articulate the confusion, confidence, doubt and desire of this particular moment in time. Confidence, inventiveness and authenticity matter more than ever, not just in life but in music, too.
These five artists aren’t just chasing virality or the next TikTok hook. Based on their underrated individual offerings that debuted in 2025, they seem poised for something more lasting: not just playlist fillers but potential mainstays, your new headset companions for the year ahead.
1. Jugo Djarot
Indie fans may remember Jugo as the former vocalist of psychedelic rock band Circarama. But his first-ever solo EP, ALTAR, makes it clear he’s stepping into his own.
While so-called nostalgia pop continues to dominate, Jugo leans into grassroots psychedelia and touches of soul, creating a sound that feels familiar but not derivative.
The title track captures a particular kind of anxious melancholy that lingers long after it ends, while “BIRU” (Blue) shows off his elastic vocals with a lighter, more buoyant energy.
Is Jugo this year's new heartthrob? Maybe. But more importantly, he sounds like an artist who knows exactly what he wants to say.
2. Maisha Kanna
This actress turned singer hasn’t had a chart breakout yet, but Maisha’s inaugural EP Katanya Bahagia Jatuh Cinta (They say falling in love is happiness), feels emotionally on point for this era.
There’s a push and pull in her songwriting, a tension between romantic idealism and hard-earned skepticism.
The standout “Sejauhjauhjauhnya” (As far away as possible) cuts sharply into the chaos of being in love, neurotic and on the edge of falling apart. Her reinterpretation of Rocket Rockers’ “Ingin Hilang Ingatan” (Want to lose my memory) feels less like a cover and more like a declaration of intent.
And when she sings about being bored of being a good person, being silent and accepting fate in “Jungkir Balik” (Upside down), it’s hard not to nod along. There’s something refreshingly honest about that.
3. Rei Naldy
If your playlist could use a little heat, Rei Naldy might be the answer: He gives voice to listeners' rawest, most tortured and suppressed thoughts, charmingly so.
His maiden EP Gigitan Pertama (First bite) blends raspy vocals, unfiltered songwriting and innovative jazz-bossa nova experimentations.
The title track simmers with desire while “Pelan, Sayang” (Slowly, my love) seems to perfectly mirror a melancholic, rainy Valentine's Day. "Jalan Memutar" (Winding road) is a powerful piece that could make any amour blush or weep in agony.
Nothing captivates the ears like an artist who understands the desirable yet torturous nature of love.
Rei’s strength lies in how unguarded he sounds. There’s an intimacy to his music that makes you feel like you’re being let in on something.
4. dia
The singer, songwriter and producer first gained widespread attention with the viral “EEEE A”. But in his introductory EP INI DIA (This is him), dia proves that with imaginative music production and sophisticated composition, hipdut (hip-hop plus dangdut) music can evolve into an arena-pleaser.
Working within the hipdut space, dia treats the subgenre more like an open medium instead of a framed canvas.
The production is playful but precise, and tracks like “EMANK ENAK” (Really good) demonstrate how this fun-loving musical fusion can also convey awe-inspiring vulnerability.
Dia feels like an artist interested in stretching the boundaries of what hipdut can be rather than just riding its wave.
5. Haira
For listeners who sometimes feel that mainstream pop skews very young, Haira offers something slightly different. The cross-genre trio brings a more mature emotional register: music that feels made for long commutes, late-night reflections and the everyday grind.
Don’t let the syrupy title of the group’s first EP, Nuansa Romansa (Romantic nuance), fool you. Across five tracks, Haira cuts surprisingly deep, both heartwarming and quietly heartbreaking.
The instrumental opener “Entry” mirrors the nervous rhythm of a heart caught between goodbye and hello. Meanwhile, the bittersweet “Pandai Berdalih” (Clever excuses) leans into city pop textures with a modern edge, its slick sound matched by lyrics that feel emotionally lived-in.
Nuansa Romansa feels like an introduction rather than a full statement, and that’s what makes Haira exciting. There’s a sense that this is only the beginning.
