It is without a doubt that audience interest in crossover music is continuously on the rise. More and more people are moving away from their plain pop-country music loyalties to embrace this new genre. And there’s a reason why. It’s fresh, captivating and exciting. Sometimes it’s just nice to hear a new voice when listening to some country playlists or pop music charts.
The pop-rock music scene has been a staple in American culture for decades now, and it’s only getting stronger. With the rise of indie artists and their work in the pop-rock scene, there has been an explosion of new, exciting music that’s being created by these talented musicians.
While there are many artists who have released crossover music before (like Toby Keith), there has never been such a diverse selection of pop-rock/country songs available to fans at once. This playlist features new releases from artists like Lissie, Bleachers, and Life of Dillon—all of which blend pop-rock with country influences to create something entirely new.
But in recent years, this cross-pollination has become more intentional than ever before. Some pop-rock artists are even releasing entire albums that are made up entirely of country songs. This is a trend that is sure to continue—and we’ve collected our favourites so far in one playlist you won’t want to miss!
You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artists’ music, and know more about the artists by scrolling down the page.
1) TOM CRAVEN – Let It Fall (My December)
If you’re looking for a new artist to add to your playlist, look no further than Tom Craven.
Craven is a singer-songwriter from Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. He’s known for his soft rock sound and classic sound that is influenced by the UK culture.
A song written and performed acoustically over the past few rollercoaster years (both personally and generally), it represents a conscious departure from the negative souls with whom we surround ourselves; a conscious acceptance of the melodrama that has been the result of failed friendships and relationships; and a simple statement that “No more” is needed.”
The song has a classic sound that reminds us of the early 2000s pop-rock era. It’s upbeat but not too fast, which makes it easy to listen to over and over again without getting tired of it.
The vocals are soft but powerful at the same time, which makes them stand out in this genre where most artists tend to go for a more high-energy approach.
If you’re into rock pop or soft rock, this song will definitely appeal to you. And if you like classic sounds and UK culture, then check out Tom Craven’s website or follow him on Spotify!
2) GERASIMOS PAPADOPOULOS – Bazaar
The music of Gerasimos Papadopoulos is the soundtrack to a journey. His single “Bazaar” is an example of how the artist’s vision comes to life in his music, which is a blend of European folk and electronic sounds.
The track is cinematic and ethereal, but it also features an earthy, danceable rhythm that makes it perfect for anyone looking for a groovy ride through the night.
In this piece, you will find an instrumental piece inspired by the colourful universe of oriental bazaars.
The song is heavily influenced by traditional Greek folk music, and it leaves you feeling like you’re sitting at a taverna in one of the city’s many plazas, eating your meal with your hands and drinking ouzo out of a tiny glass.
If you’re looking for something relaxing or uplifting, this track will have you covered. It’s perfect for those times when you need some good vibes—it’ll make your morning commute fly by!
If you’d like to know more about Gerasimos himself or his music, visit his website. You can also follow him on Spotify if that’s more your speed!
3) CRIS MANTELLO – Hard Times
Cris Mantello is a singer-songwriter from Switzerland, Lugano. He is known for his alt-country sound and his unique style of crooning.
The times are tough, but Cris Mantello continues to produce music and released a new single on October 25, 2022.
“Hard Times” is the title of the artist’s new song, which marks a turning point in his artistic and recording career.
In addition to evolving his typical sound, Cris Mantello has made it more modern, clear-cut, and gritty, while maintaining his voice and guitar style that is extremely recognizable. An extremely solid country-rock song, biting in the instrumental riffs and the verses, melodic and choral in the choruses.
His single “Hard Times” is a blend of alt-country and classic rock with a dash of Americana thrown in for good measure. The track features heavy electric guitar riffs and strong, heartfelt vocals that are reminiscent of the greats like Bruce Springsteen.
This song talks about how our personal worth cannot be determined by the unfortunate events of life or by the speculation of others, and how confidence and self-esteem are the keys to overcoming hardships.
I would highly recommend checking out Cris Mantello’s other songs on Spotify if you haven’t already done so! And also visit his website.
4) ROMAIN GUTSY – The Girl From Kerry
Romain Gutsy is a French singer-songwriter who has released several singles to date. His single, “The Girl From Kerry,” is a nostalgic tune that reminds us of classic rhythm and blues. The song is super catchy and easy to sing along with, and it will make you want to dance.
Romain wrote the song in Dublin in May 2022, and it has been produced by Romain and Marc Bentel. An incredible folk-blues release with an organic sound, a narrative-based song that tells a sad story without any sadness.
It has a kind of second degree to cope with life’s harsh realities. It is a song that will take you on a journey to Ireland to dance with a beloved ghost, and that is always fun!
A track with this level of clarity and crispness is not overproduced or polished to the point where it becomes dull. Having instrumental breakdowns to break up the songs at the appropriate time adds a great deal of variety to the songs without feeling forced or extraneous.
If you like this type of music (indie folk, blues rock), then be sure to check out Romain Gutsy’s website and follow him on Spotify!
5) THE AIRSTREAM OUTLAWS – I’m Gonna Ruin Your Party
The Airstream Outlaws add a new notch to that established legacy of an extensive and respected history of music in Texas.
In terms of their music, The Airstream Outlaws are a fun and rowdy band that sings about a lot of different topics that are not usually found in country music today. In addition to their quirky sense of humour, these guys are as wild as Texas!
They released their debut single, I’m Gonna Ruin Your Party, about that person we all know who never knows when they’ve had enough to drink at parties! While it is a familiar story, it is not your average drinking song as it pokes fun at, instead of glorifying, alcohol excess.
A track with this level of clarity and crispness is not overproduced or polished to the point where it becomes dull. Having instrumental breakdowns to break up the songs at the appropriate time adds a great deal of variety to the songs without feeling forced or extraneous.
If you like Americana, country music, or classic rock, then this is definitely a song for you! Check it out on Spotify or visit their website below to learn more about the band!
6) SLEEPING TOGETHER – Time To Reflect
Sleeping Together is a British-based band that produces indie melodic pop rock. Their single “Time To Reflect” is a banger of an anthem, featuring catchy vocals and an edgy rock sound that you’ll be playing over and over again.
This is a tale about losing yourself in a relationship and how hindsight is a wonderful thing, mostly, when you have the benefit of hindsight. You can easily get lost in love, but if you hold onto the key elements of yourself, it’s not as bad as it seems. Tayte Nickols (The Sheratons) produced and Matt Colton (Arctic Monkeys) mastered the track.
A track with this level of clarity and crispness is not overproduced or polished to the point where it becomes dull. Having instrumental breakdowns to break up the songs at the appropriate time adds a great deal of variety to the songs without feeling forced or extraneous.
If you’re looking for something new to listen to, check out Sleep Together on Spotify or visit their website for more info!
7) DEEP DIVE SPECIES – Aquaphilia
Deep Dive Species is an independent duo from New York City, and their new album Aquaphilia is a delight to anyone who likes art rock, dream pop and experimental music
It is a wonderful piece of guitar-filled electronica that is very atmospheric, aquatic, and trippy at the same time. A good background soundtrack as well as a focused listening experience.
Though this is the duo’s debut, both members have a long history of projects, releases, and live performances. It would be great if you could draw more attention to the album as the vinyl LP is approaching.
The track “Aquaphilia” is a mix of several electronic genres, spread across longer tracks, shorter interludes, and some epics. Despite being composed of layered guitar and synth jams, the album manages to sound consistent and monolithic.
From a documentary to a sci-fi feature film to a beach lounge, this is a cinematic record that would be great as a soundtrack.
My favourite track from this album is ”YOLO”. Despite being a soundtrack album, I find this one song particularly interesting, it has some cool guitar riffs and a good vibe overall!
If you want to learn more about this duo, check out their website, and make sure to follow them on Spotify!
8) L.A EDWARDS – Out Of The Heart Of Darkness
Luke Andrew Edwards (L.A. Edwards) is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
Following his tenure with the Smart Brothers, L.A.Edwards formed a solo project in 2015. Since then, he has released three studio albums. With his brothers, he has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe.
As announced in November 2022, L.A. Edwards announced the release date of their third studio album, Out of the Heart of Darkness. The album is mixed by Grammy-winning Tom Lord-Alge (Blink-182, Steve Winwood) and explores a wide range of human emotions with their most varied instrumentation yet.
It’s hard not to be drawn in by this album as soon as it starts playing—the first track “Little Boy Blue” immediately captures your attention with its upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics. That’s why it is my favourite track from the album! You’ll find yourself singing along with Edwards on every song!
If you want more information about the artist, or just want to listen to some good music, make sure to visit his website and also follow his Spotify!
9) JEREMY PARSONS – Tickin’
Jeremy Parsons, an American singer-songwriter and musician, has released a new single that you can’t help but fall in love with.
The first single from the upcoming album of roots/americana/country singer Jeremy Parsons has been released. It combines electronic sounds with Americana vibes in an effort to create a unique sound.
The song is called “Tickin” and it’s a perfect blend of alt-country and Americana. The track features Jeremy’s signature sound along with his soulful voice.
A track with this level of clarity and crispness is not overproduced or polished to the point where it becomes dull. Having instrumental breakdowns to break up the songs at the appropriate time adds a great deal of variety to the songs without feeling forced or extraneous.
It also features an amazing music video that’s very well-produced and fun! I recommend checking that out also for your daily dose of dopamine!
I highly recommend checking it out! You can visit his website or follow him on Spotify so that you don’t miss out on his upcoming singles.
10) TERRY BLADE – Won’t Be Around
Terry Blade has been making waves in the independent music scene for the past few years, and his new single, “Won’t Be Around,” is a banger that’s sure to get your feet moving.
The song is an alt-folk tune that has a retro soul vibe with touches of blues and roots. It features a catchy chorus, with male vocals that are reminiscent of classic sounds. The lyrics are relatable and easy to sing along with, while still being poetic and thought-provoking.
In the song “Won’t Be Around,” Terry Blade fully establishes the character of his “Ethos: Son of a Sharecropper” project by creating a melodic sound that sounds like something straight from a Hozier album.
Aside from the tremendous vocal performance, he also creates an atmosphere that makes the listener think, “Oh, this is the real deal.” The instrumental arrangement that keeps the rhythm slow and minimalistic serves as the ideal accompaniment to the spectacular vocal performance that has the listener captivated.
There is no doubt that this song is one of the most powerful vocal performances on the upcoming album. It stands to reason that I will be listening to it over and over again for a long time to come. Now check it out, visit his website and follow him on Spotify.
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