15 Must-Listen Country Artists That Were New To Me In 2025

Discovering new music brings about a feeling that is never going to lose its magic.

Whether it’s a brand new artist releasing music for the first time, a band that’s been around for a while that is breaking through into the next phase of their careers following a particularly well-received release, or an established act whose catalog has somehow evaded your ears until now, uncovering new music is a beautiful thing.

While there are a lot of downsides to social media, apps like Instagram and TikTok have been an incredible catalyst in helping fans find new music and in helping artists grow their fan base and find exposure. And thanks to streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, there is an endless supply of music at our fingertips waiting to be discovered and appreciated.

I found a ton of artists and bands that were new to me in 2025, and as someone who admittedly spends way too much time searching for new music, I’d imagine that some of these artists have yet to cross the radar of the average country music fan out there. So, in an effort to spread the word, I’ve compiled a list of 15 of the best artists that were new to me in 2025, all of whom I highly recommend checking out.

Some of these artists are fresh faces in the music industry with only a few singles to their name, and others have been grinding away for years, waiting for their spectacular music to be unveiled. Whatever it may be, each and every one of these artists made a lasting impression on me when I came across their music this past year, and I bet several will do the same effect on you.

Many of these discoveries have come through aforementioned avenues such as social media and Spotify, but another great way to find new music that I can not stress enough is getting out to shows and making sure to be there in time for the opener. They might just be your next favorite artist.

Check out some of my favorite artists I found in 2025 below.

Ava Hall

A student at Nashville’s Belmont University, up-and-coming singer/songwriter Ava Hall has only officially released three songs to date, but this small sample size provides ample proof that she will have a promising career ahead of her if she plays her cards right. With plenty of room to grow sonically, Hall’s sound thus far is pretty simple, but it sets the stage perfectly for the clever-beyond-her-years songwriting that makes her music so special.

Song Pick: “Georgia Heat”

Buffalo Traffic Jam

Hailing from Bozeman, Montana, this country/folk duo is one of two groups on this list that has really reaped the benefits of social media virality this year. The attention is well-deserved, though, as Buffalo Traffic Jam is making must-listen music right now. Distinguished by unique, gravelly vocal delivery, BTJ’s music makes for easy listening with a stripped-back and largely acoustic sound, and their lyricism has resonated with listeners everywhere who are taking note.

Song Pick: “Take Me Home”

Graham St. Clair Band

This is probably my favorite band that I came across in 2025. With a powerful sound, captivating lyricism, and a raw, youthful energy, I can’t help but compare their nascent catalog to early releases from bands like Josh Abbot Band, Flatland Cavalry, and others that eventually took the Texas scene by storm and experienced national success. These guys may be in the early stages of something special.

Song Pick: “Lose Ourselves”

Hank Weaver

Steeped in the songwriting tradition of Texas greats who came before him – from legends like Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt to modern trailblazers like Randy Rogers – Weaver carries a deep reverence for his home state’s storied musical legacy. And despite his young age, he already seems to be a songwriter wise beyond his years, poised to become one of the next Lone Star young guns ready to carry that torch forward.

With tracks that range from tear-in-my-beer heartbreakers to catchy honky tonk toe tappers, Weaver’s music is right at home in the Texas dancehalls where he has begun to hone his craft. And once country music fans from beyond the state lines catch on, it won’t belong before Hank Weaver’s name is mentioned alongside the next wave of Texas country standouts.

Song Pick: “Same To Me”

Hayden Redwine

Another Texas native, Redwine’s rugged vocals and the passion with which he approaches his craft inevitably conjure images of the American West, so it’s fitting that he has found a role as a frequent opener for the great Colter Wall. There are flashes of Ryan Bingham in his sound, but Redwine’s voice and perspective are very much his own. Nevertheless, with the release of his debut record Spade this past year, he has delivered ten deftly written tracks with zero filler – and it wouldn’t be surprising to me if years from now fans look back on Spade with the same reverence they do Bingham’s Mescalito.

Song Pick: “Spade”

Hollerhead

One of Appalachian alt-country’s best kept secrets, Hollerhead is a band every country music fan should have on their radar. Fresh off the release of their debut album Never Gonna Leave You this past year, the five-piece Western Kentucky outfit delivered a ten-track masterclass that gracefully navigates the heavy terrain of love and loss. Though still in the relatively early stages of their journey, it’s already clear that Hollerhead has been onto something exceptional from the get-go.

Song Pick: “Leftovers”

Joint Custody

I’m fairly certain I’d heard of Joint Custody before 2025, but for whatever reason, I hadn’t taken a proper deep dive into their growing catalog until I saw they’d be opening for Southall at their Gruene Hall show I had tickets to last month. I ended up running through their self-titled record, Joint Custody, three times over on my flight down to Texas, and by the time I landed, I was already a fan. By the end of the show that night, though, I walked out a full-on believer.

With a big, driving sound and strong songwriting, Joint Custody has all the makings to be the next breakout country/rock outfit from East Texas, following in the footsteps of acts like Whiskey Myers and Koe Wetzel.

Song Pick: “Up in Smoke”

Kindred Valley

One of the more underrated acts in the talent-rich Appalachian scene, if you ask me, Kindred Valley has kept their nose to the grindstone while patiently waiting for the greater country music world to wake up. Formed in 2020 while the members were students at West Virginia’s Marshall University, the band’s impressive catalog is highlighted by killer harmonies, intricate instrumentation, and thoughtful songwriting. A major breakthrough for this crew feels like less of a possibility and more of an inevitability, and hopefully it happens sooner rather than later.

Song Pick: “Riverbed”

Magoo

Spurred by bands like Greensky Bluegrass and exacerbated by Billy Strings, the fervor felt for jamgrass by the masses right now is stronger than ever. Accordingly, there are plenty of promising up-and-coming acts in the scene that are poised to carry on the scene and have the potential to catapult into a national power like Billy Strings. Denver, CO based Magoo is in the upper echelon of those bands, and it is just a matter of time until these guys blow up.

Their recorded music is great, but seeing this band live last year was what really made me bullish on Magoo. If they’re coming to a city near you, don’t miss the opportunity to catch a show. You’ll be glad you did while it’s still relatively early in their ascent.

Song Pick: “This Road’s Been Good To Me”

Marfa

I came across Marfa when I noticed that they were becoming an increasingly popular pick to open for rapidly growing bands with already strong fanbases like 49 Winchester and Shane Smith & the Saints. This is a great spot for an up-and-coming band to be in, because opening for bands like this puts you on the stage in some pretty massive venues, but also in front of fans that are inclined to get there early and check out the opener. With new music on the way and plenty of these shows on the schedule for 2026, Marfa seems to be on the verge of a pretty major breakthrough in 2026.

With a sound that blends elements of Texas country/rock with the folkier side of bands like The Eagles, Marfa makes for easy listening at the surface level. If you dive in a bit further, though, it won’t take long to realize these guys really know what they’re doing when it comes to songwriting, too.

Song Pick: “Daisy”

Sam Stoane

Sam Stoane grabbed my ear back in May when she released her stunning debut album Tales of the Dark West, a valiant and well-received entry in country and western songwriting. Backed by her elegant vocals, Stoane’s songs are equally as easy on the ears as they are vivid in their storytelling, and her growing catalog is full of detailed, poetic lyricism. Don’t be surprised if Stoane is one of the next women to make a major splash in the country music world.

Song Pick: “A Good Horse And A Good Dog”

Shelby Stone

When a scene’s heavy hitters continuously sing the praises of a new artist, it’s pretty clear the artist in question is going to be a noteworthy talent. That sentiment reigns true for Shelby Stone, a Texas native whose dynamic blend of country and rock garnered major votes of confidence from red dirt’s elite in Cross Canadian Ragweed and the Turnpike Troubadours.

I’d heard Stone’s name thrown around well before 2025, but for whatever reason, it wasn’t until this past year that I truly gave her music an honest listen and realized how great it is. Bringing an angsty element to both the lyrics and sound of her music, I’m convinced Stone’s hard-driving tunes are impossible not to like, and I think 2026 could be the year that country music fans far and wide realize the same.

Song Pick: “Fire Escape”

The Creekers

The second band on this list to benefit from a viral hit in 2025, The Creekers were unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight thanks to their awesome love song “Tennessee.” I’ll admit, it’s the song that first put them on my radar – but as soon as I dug deeper into their catalog, it was easy to fall in love with everything they have to offer. From rich instrumentation to their catchy melodies, this blistering hot bluegrass band in the midst of a remarkable run. And make no mistake – this isn’t a lightning in a bottle type thing they’ve captured. If anything, I have a feeling their best work is yet to come.

Song Pick: “River Rat”

Tobacco Road

I saw Tobacco Road open two shows this past year in front of pretty different crowds, but the reaction from the majority of the audience was the same on both of these nights – they came in ready for the headliner, Tobacco Road quickly caught their attention, and they left a fan. It’s hard not to, when you hear Annabel Dwyer’s powerful vocals booming through a venue and witness the chemistry this band has on stage together.

Part of Evan Honer’s Cloverdale Records, Tobacco Road’s sound is certainly influenced by country music, but it leans more into rock and pop sensibilities than the majority of the groups on this list. Nevertheless, the young band seems to be thriving in Nashville’s country music community, and with how great they sound live, the shows will only get bigger from here on out.

Song Pick: “Second Thoughts”

Travis Roberts

Roberts released his debut album Rebel Rose back in August. I stumbled upon it shortly thereafter, and honestly, the more I listen to it the better it seems to get. In the nascent stages of his career and without much music to his name aside from the album, my knowledge on Roberts doesn’t extend beyond the “about” page on his website. Nevertheless, it’s clear this West Texas artist has lived a lot of life despite his young age, and that shines through in his deftly written music.

Song Pick: “Bellmarie”