We all have those artists and songs we hear that strike the right chord and make us fall in love at first listen. They’re the reason we refresh social media pages, tour schedules, and Spotify profiles — because we can’t miss a single release. This is Love at First Listen — a new series introducing you to the emerging, and established, artists with new music guaranteed to upgrade your playlist.
A new year = new music = new artists to obsess over, one song at a time. As you start making your first playlists of the new year, we’re confident you will fall in love at first listen with these 24 artists to watch in 2024—from Canadian groups to breakout solo acts, country rockers, and several familiar faces with a lot to say (and sing about).
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New West
If you weren’t one of Toronto-based artist collective New West’s 56.6 million listeners in 2023, this is your sign to start streaming them in 2024. There’s plenty of material to work with—the group released their debut album ‘Based On A True Story…‘ in October and kicked off the year with a new version of album closer “Those Eyes” featuring Zeph. Catch New West opening for fellow Canuck Charlotte Cardin in Ottawa (Feb. 6) and Laval, QC (Feb. 8-10) on her 99 Nights Tour, and stay tuned for the big plans they have in the works for the year ahead.
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Zeina
@zeinamates #duet with @Shawn Desman thank you shawn 🫶🏽 #2000smusic #sample #rnb
Brooklyn-born, Montreal-raised artist Zeina officially has the co-sign from Canadian hitmaker Shawn Desman thanks to her catchy new song “Hooked,” which calls back to his 2002 smash single “Shook.” And the praise isn’t just coming from one famous face—the song also skyrocketed to No. 1 on the iTunes R&B/Soul chart upon its release. Zeina is set to expand her audience through live shows to be announced in the coming months. If you’re not “hooked” yet, you will be this year!
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Drake Milligan
When Love at First Listen chatted with Drake Milligan in December, we didn’t know the new music he teased was coming out so soon. You can now stream the first single off his new EP ‘Jukebox Songs,’ “Don’t Leave Me Loving You.” If that has you craving more, you won’t have to wait long to hear the full EP on Feb. 16—and there’s bound to be a new song or two on the setlist when Drake opens for Cody Johnson on tour across the U.S. this spring, so start memorizing those lyrics!
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Bailee Madison
@baileemadison
You know and love Bailee Madison from her on-screen roles in shows like Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and Good Witch. Starting the year freshly signed to Jonas Group Entertainment’s Red Van Records (yes, that Jonas family), get ready to have some “fun” as you jam out to her debut single, “Kinda Fun,” co-written with her musical boyfriend Blake Richardson. Take it from Bailee that this is only the beginning because, as she writes, “The only solution is self evolution.”
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Kalsey Kulyk
Poetic country songstress Kalsey Kulyk has a lot to celebrate. Since Love at First Listen first spoke with her, her single “Love Me Like an Outlaw” has risen to the Top 20 on Canadian country radio, making her the only solo, independent female artist at the top of the charts. As Kalsey told us in December, she’s still set to release an album next month, with more radio singles and music videos to follow. “It’s going to have more of my sound and more of the songs that I’ve wanted to record for a long time,” she shared. We’re so ready!
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Alexander Stewart
After a breakout year in 2023 with his single “i wish you cheated” and a TV performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Canadian singer Alexander Stewart is riding his next wave of success following the release of his ‘if you only knew’ EP. Having just been named as one of Spotify’s Pop Rising Artists to Watch in 2024, expect more music, more live shows, and more opportunities to say, “I knew him when…!” (If you followed him during his teenage Press Play days, you’re a definite OG.)
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Meg Smith
Also tapped as a Spotify Pop Rising Artist to Watch, Meg Smith is the self-proclaimed “Hannah Montana of Bushwick.” She may write songs about not knowing what you’re doing, but she knows exactly what she’s doing when it comes to releasing infectious pop hits. Meg ended 2023 with billboards for her single “guitar center” in Los Angeles and New York’s Times Square and is starting 2024 with an attention-grabbing new single, “jesus christ in a mini skirt,” that’s just begging to be screamed along to in a GA pit.
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MacKenzie Porter
Canadian country queen MacKenzie Porter recently thanked her fans for rocking her world in 2023. In 2024, she’s guaranteed to be rocking all of our playlists with the 19 songs featured on her upcoming new album. And having a new record lined up for release, you know what’s next—tour time! Start preparing for the experience by streaming her latest single, “Bet You Break My Heart.” Fingers crossed that fans stateside will be able to check out a headlining show after MacKenzie’s highly successful Canadian run last fall!
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Chappell Roan
@chappellroan oh my god this was so fun ʕ·ᴥ·ʔ
When Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour rolls into a city near you later this year, arrive early to have your ears blessed by Chappell Roan, who will be opening the show in select cities. Selling out clubs and small theatres last year, expect the self-proclaimed Midwest princess to follow in the footsteps of Olivia’s previous tour opener Holly Humberstone and move up the ranks faster than you can get through her already-expansive discography. Chappell’s set to be a festival favourite this summer, with scheduled performances at Hangout, Hinterland, Bonnaroo, and Governors Ball, and we’ll be at every set possible.
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Reneé Rapp
After celebrating the box office success of the Mean Girls musical adaptation, in which she steals the show as Regina George, Reneé Rapp will take her debut album ‘Snow Angel’ on the road to Europe and several North American festivals, including Boston Calling, Governors Ball, and Hangout. Reneé’s not just winning audiences over with her powerhouse pop vocals—she is also as real as it gets when it comes to being her bubbly self on social media and IRL. Whether it’s a media interview or paparazzi spotting, her viral moments simply leave us no choice but to stan.
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Rêve
After releasing her debut album ‘Saturn Return’—a slice of pop perfection—in 2023, Canada’s very own Rêve is ready to embark on her Saturn ReTOUR this March with cross-country tour dates supported by fellow Canadian pop icon Ralph. We need Rêve to have her moment stateside and have a good feeling 2024 may be her time to shine. Be sure to watch the just-released short film set to album track “Release Me,” which tells the story of “somehow finding glimmers that remind you of who you are between the speakers.”
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Presley Regier
@presleyregier my microwave told me he alr pre-saved 😍 #singer #singersongwriter #newmusic #originalsound #fyp #viral
One of this summer’s hottest tickets is set to be Tate McRae’s Think Later tour, and while little was known about its announced opener Presley Regier, we’re now fully hyped. Following the October 2023 release of his debut EP ‘RUN,’ his first single of the year, “Typical,” is on its way to take over all of our On Repeat playlists. Grab a ticket to the tour now and be sure to keep Presley on this year’s release radar!
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Owen Riegling
Love at First Listen first met rising country star Owen Riegling when he supported former FGL singer Tyler Hubbard on a string of Canadian tour dates last year. Expect to see this up-and-comer rise to new heights—and hopefully much-deserved headliner status—this year following the release of “a lot” of new music, which Owen teased when he celebrated being named a Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch. First, he’ll drop his first single of 2024, “Home Less,” on Jan. 19 and join country heavyweight Chase Rise on the road across Canada, starting Feb. 13 in Vancouver before travelling east towards closing night in Montreal on Feb. 29. Don’t miss out!
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Lydia Sutherland
Emerging country-pop artist Lydia Sutherland has been on our radar for quite some time, but 2024 is looking like a bucket list year for this Nashville-based artist. Since signing with Universal Music Canada in 2022, singles like “best friend” and “look like your exes” have showcased her beautiful lyrics and melodies. To kick off another year of music, she’s joining forces with fellow country talent Alli Walker for every country girl’s next anthem, “Girls at the Bar,” out this Friday (Jan. 19). Don’t just look out for her behind the microphone—she’s also the mastermind behind some of our favourite songs by artists like Ben Chase and fellow 2024 Artist to Watch Owen Riegling.
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Olivia Lunny
If you’re craving a new pop “it” girl to stan who has an endless selection of repeat-worthy tracks, look no further than Canadian pop songstress Olivia Lunny. Since we interviewed Olivia in 2022, her latest single, “Fix This” featuring Bryce Vine, has been climbing the charts, thanks in part to overseas exposure from opening for Ellie Goulding and Loreen. She’ll be growing her international fanbase once again this year with exciting festival appearances, including The Great Escape in Brighton, UK, and other projects in the works. We can’t wait to see what’s next for this homegrown talent!
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Jayde
Like fellow 2024 artist to watch Olivia Lunny, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Jayde launched into stardom after appearing on season two of CTV’s talent competition show The Launch. Following a string of singles in 2023, Jayde is showing no signs of slowing down in 2024, having just been added as support for Preston Pablo’s Toronto show at the Axis Club on Feb. 8. Plus, we have to assume all of the studio selfies on her Instagram feed are leading up to something big.
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Sinéad Harnett
@sineadharnett ‘BOUNDARIES’ the new album 🔜🧡 there’s a younger version of us yearning to feel we’re enough, aching to be loved and needing to be understood. I truly believe that the only way out of your trauma is to go all the way through it. hope you love the trailer – I missed you x #indie #rnb #trauma #healing #therapy #fyp #album #comingsoon ✨
“Thai-rish” singer Sinéad Harnett is no stranger to this blog, but 2024 may finally be her year to breakthrough to the mainstream and get the flowers she deserves. She already has something to “say,” which she’ll reveal on her forthcoming single “Say Something,” out Jan. 26. The new release also serves as our first taste of her upcoming album ‘Boundaries.’ As Sinéad wrote on Instagram, “This next chapter of my music feels like the most significant [and] I am overwhelmed with the deepest gratitude that I get to share it with you so soon.” We have so much gratitude for you, Sinéad!
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Teddy Swims
American artist Teddy Swims had nothing short of a wild ride to fame last year, largely catapulted by his incredible single “Lose Control” and Maren Morris collaboration, “Some Things I’ll Never Know.” Despite the immense success, we somehow don’t think he’s even close to reaching his peak. Teddy’s BBC Radio 1 cover of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” is his latest viral moment and a respectful nod to how he got his start—posting covers on YouTube before signing with Warner Records and releasing his debut album in September 2023. With scheduled tour dates in the U.S. and Europe fast approaching, don’t miss out on some of his last smaller venue shows before he fills the big rooms.
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Riley Green
Country artist Riley Green is far from a newcomer, but we’re ready for him to hit the big stages that he deserves in 2024. Brush up on his 2023 album ‘Ain’t My Last Rodeo’ and fan favourites like the unreleased “I Couldn’t Fit That On A Sign” now because Riley gets back on the road in February and already has dates scheduled in amphitheatres and arenas all the way through to October. There’s no valid excuse to skip a show near you!
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Tyla
Music fans and critics alike have been watering the seed Tyla planted with her mega-viral 2023 single, “Water,” for months. Now, entering 2024, she has a debut self-titled album dropping March 1, international tour dates kicking off March 21, and that’s just what she’s revealed to us so far. We’re tuned all the way in for everything else she has in store!
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Megan Moroney
@megmoroney new one called “no caller ID” #songwriter
Take it from Megan Moroney: It’s about to be a huge year for the emo cowgirls. If you’re a fan of artists like Kelsea Ballerini, Carrie Underwood, and Lainey Wilson, you’ll be all over Megan’s nostalgic and all-too-relatable songwriting. (The girls that get it, get it!) Hear her magic in action on her 2023 debut album ‘Lucky,’ and again on her next single “No Caller ID,” out this Friday (Jan. 19).
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Nate Smith
Amid his ongoing World on Fire Tour, rapidly rising country rocker Nate Smith made his morning show debut with the TODAY Show and is now on track to have the No. 1 song on Billboard Country Airplay for a sixth straight week. That would put the angsty heartbreak song in the record books as just the seventh single to spend six or more weeks on top of the chart in the last decade—no big deal. Building on that momentum, Nate features on Canadian DJ Frank Walker’s latest single, “Missing You,” and we can’t wait to see what festival gets the live debut! He’s also teasing a new solo single, “Bulletproof,” proving there’s a ton for fans to be excited about in 2024.
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Dayna Reid
@daynareidmusic “You can call me a fool, say I’m selfish But these four damn walls are leaving me helpless It’s killing me (killing me) The ghost in the closet, is gonna be lonely Written in the stars girl you gotta be happy Happy So don’t think that I don’t care It’s a great big world out there” ‘This House’ is out tonight at midnight 💜🎶🪞 #ThisHouse #DaynaReid #newmusic #comingsoon #CountryMusic #unreleasedmusic #unreleased #itsjustasong #fyp
While some artists throw release parties, Canadian singer-songwriter Dayna Reid celebrated release day for her emotional new single “This House” with a billboard in Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square courtesy of her new friends at Amazon Music Canada. We’re obsessed with the song and can’t wait to further introduce you to this rising country star in our next Love at First Listen feature coming next Friday (Jan. 26)—the same day the song’s stunning music video will further welcome fans into Dayna’s world.
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Hailey Benedict
When we say you don’t know what SiriusXM Top of the Country 2023 winner Hailey Benedict has in store for 2024, we mean it literally, but also in the sense that you should buckle up and get ready now. Consider this a formal PSA—and, in the meantime, keep streaming her single “Damn You July” because it’s too good not to!
See you back here soon with more artist interviews and music releases for you to love at first listen! Have a suggestion or pitch? You know where to find me!
Happy listening xx
