Melanie Martinez's surreal alt-pop draws from an array of influences, from The Beatles to 2Pac to Britney Spears, the latter who would help bring the young singer-songwriter to TV screens across the U.S. The Queens-born, Long Island–raised Martinez started writing poetry in kindergarten and taught herself how to play guitar by the time she reached high school. In 2012, during her junior year, she landed a televised audition on NBC's The Voice, where she sang Spears' "Toxic." The performance earned her a spot on Adam Levine's team. She made it to the top six before being eliminated. Keeping up the momentum of her newfound fame, Martinez started working on original music. In 2014, she released her debut single "Dollhouse." Soon after, she signed to Atlantic Records and unveiled her debut EP, also called Dollhouse. The following year, she began teasing music from her debut album, including lead single "Pity Party," a dark, dance-y spin on Lesley Gore's classic 1963 track "It's My Party." In August 2015, she released Cry Baby — a reference to her being called "cry baby" as a kid. The album debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart. To support the album, Martinez took on the role of filmmaker, directing some of her own music videos. She'd continue pursuing those ambitions for her second album, 2019's K-12, which is accompanied by its own fanciful full-length feature film, written and directed by Martinez herself.

Beach Bunny, the indie bedroom pop/rock group known for their melancholic lyrics and pensive melodies, hit the road for a six-month international tour ahead of their July 2022 album Emotional Creature. The four-piece band, created and led by singer/songwriter Lili Trifilio, has a style that draws comparisons to Cavetown, Moon Taxi and mxmtoon, with an acoustically raw and unpolished sound that elicits introspection. Beach Bunny is perhaps best known for their popular single "Prom Queen," off the EP of the same name, and "Cloud 9," which peaked in the Top 20 on Billboard's Alternative Streaming Songs chart and was the lead single for their 2020 debut album Honeymoon. To date, both singles have accumulated more than 220 million streams on Spotify each. The group has also drawn more than 6 million monthly listeners on Spotify and amassed wild popularity for their live performances, selling out large venues with concertgoers praising Trifilio's sharp songwriting and the band's powerful stage presence.

Men I Trust, a Canadian indie band formed in 2014, has quietly but profoundly left its mark on the music scene. Comprising Emma Proulx (guitar and vocals), Jessy Caron (guitar and bass), and Dragos Chiriac (keyboards), the trio’s enchanting sound, blending dream pop and indie elements, resonates with a global audience.

Renowned for their hypnotic melodies and captivating vocals, the band has earned acclaim for their distinct approach to music. Self-producing their tracks, they showcase a maturity beyond their years in the industry. Men I Trust’s influence extends from their evocative compositions to their understated yet compelling live performances, offering audiences a genuine and intimate musical experience. In an era where music defies easy categorization, Men I Trust stands out for their ability to create a sound that transcends genres, shaping the indie music landscape with grace and authenticity.