If there’s one thing we love to do at The Honey POP, it’s discovering new artists. We love to explore different sounds and genres, as we all share the passion for recognizing good music when we hear it. We also take great pride in showcasing a range of small/indie artists to help them get the recognition they deserve. In this article, we have discovered five unique artists that we think you should be listening to!
Kainalu
Kainalu is a “psychedelic funk recording project” by independent multi-instrumentalist and producer Trent Prall. Through his music, you will find connections to his Japanese-Hawaiian heritage. Kainalu roughly translates to ocean waves, but more personally, the “concept of the ocean rising and breaking down the islands through time and the impermanence of life.”
Visuals are very important for his music; his songs are often matched with a visual that represents the sound, meaning, and feeling of the tune as a whole. Kainalu is a fresh, vibrant listening experience that will get you hooked right after listening to just one song. This kind of new sound is going to take the world by storm, and we hope to see Kainalu leading the way.
Our favorite tracks: ‘Folds Like Origami,’ ‘Ziza,’ and ‘Queen of Wands’
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KAINALU:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
Pink Halo
Pink Halo is an independent groovy pop duo from Madison, Wisconsin. With only four singles, ‘beach babe,’ ‘jump in,’ ‘window,’ and ‘speed of light,’ they have made a name for themselves playing at various festivals and shows. Their stage presence is made up of natural zest, music is in their blood and so is performing live. Their sound is contagious, and they have a rhythm to keep you on the dance floor. Pink Halo is a group we wish to see more people listening to!
Our favorite track: ‘speed of light’
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PINK HALO:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE
Javier Reyes
Javier Reyes of Post Animal brings his unique sound through to his solo work. Since the release of his debut album, Big Amigo, in 2021, he has been working vicariously through both mediums to get his sound out there. A mixed blend of pop, rock, and funk, his sound will transform you, and you’ll feel like you’re floating amongst the clouds. In the words of Javier himself, he describes his music as a “dear diary – free write, anything goes, my no judgment zone.”
He has currently been on tour with Slow Pulp. While releasing three singles titled ‘Everyone’s Got A Little Fight,’ ‘Fly,’ and ‘Is It Ever Any Wonder,’ over the last couple of months, to get us all ready for the sound of his new album. These new singles sound like dancing in the garden under the sun, and it’s a very beautiful, familiar feeling.
Our favorite tracks: ‘When You’re Not Around,’ ‘Fly,’ and ‘My Love’
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JAVIER REYES:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE
lake j
Cadien James of Twin Peaks brings his talent to his solo project under the name “lake j.” Full of exploration and curiosity, his debut album Dizzy, released earlier in the year, takes you on a journey of “cinematic love stories that tie the album’s music with an emotional bow.” The unique sound captures you, leaves you wanting to hear more, and leaves like a lingering kiss on your cheek. Listening to his album makes you feel warm, like a sunset; it’s almost metaphorical. From what we know about Twin Peak’s music, we cannot wait to see and hear more from lake j and his melodious tunes.
Our favorite tracks: ‘My Own Mess,’ ‘Keeping Score,’ ‘Sparrow’
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LAKE J:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE
Paul Cherry
Paul Cherry, a Chicago-born DJ and musician, has had his music described as “music that evokes a love for sunny ‘70s and ‘80s grooves.” With his debut album, Flavour, coming out in 2018, he has only been evolving as an artist. With two more albums under his belt, he’s been quite busy with playing live shows and streaming on his Twitch show called Hidden Gems, which is “a weekly show showcasing deep cut tracks, bringing weekly guests and sometimes DJing or making tracks.”
Even without lyrics, his music on its own tells a story. His tracks on Pure Grooves Vol. 1 are purely instrumental, and they really capture the personality of how Paul feels about his music. Paul Cherry is an eccentric soul with immense talent, and we are excited to see what comes next for him.
Our favorite tracks: ‘Like Yesterday,’ ‘It Happens All The Time,’ and ‘Butterfly Beach’
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PAUL CHERRY:
INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE
We love seeing artists progress and gain a wide range of listeners, especially the lesser-known ones. It’s always exciting to help get artists out there and to use our voice to support them. Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram what songs are your favorites?!
