Emerging Artists to Watch as presented by Obscure Agency – June 2025
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Emerging Artists to Watch as presented by Obscure Agency – June 2025
By: Obscure Agency
(Credit Obscure Agency)
June brings a shift in perspective. Obscure Agency selection of the month focuses on artists who resist easy categorisation, blending vulnerability with precision and transforming personal narratives into sharp creative statements. From subversive stage identities to stripped-back vocal deliveries, these five names are defining new ways to connect with sound. Each feature reflects a body of work shaped by intention, not trend.
Jon Darc
Jon Darc builds sonic worlds where rebellion meets raw emotion. Based in Berlin, the artist fuses avant-pop, trip-hop and electronic influences into a dark, cinematic language that speaks of taboo, fragility and defiance. MORAST, their upcoming seven-track EP, ventures unapologetically into uncomfortable terrain.
Produced alongside Moritz Hofbauer, Free Jimi ( Horse Girl) and Jordan Lawlor (M83), the record delivers a tightly curated experience marked by intensity and intimacy. The fifth single, “Addicted to attention,” released on June 6, dissected the psychological toll of visibility and neglect in a hyperconnected world. With its blend of gunshot samples, distorted electronics and spoken-word urgency, the track offered a striking reflection on the fragility of identity in the age of constant scrutiny.
The track also introduced the visual identity behind MORAST, balancing provocation and empathy with precision. Aesthetically and lyrically, Jon invites confrontation with themes often silenced or fetishized. The result is both unsettling and intimate, demanding full emotional presence from the listener.
Inspired by Joan of Arc, Jon Darc channels a spirit of resistance into every layer of their work. With past collaborations including Alec Troniq and Lucy Dye, and a growing catalogue of critically noted singles, the artist continues to blur the lines between music, performance and radical self-exploration.
Sciarra
In the pop landscape, Sciarra emerges from the shadows with her cinematic music. Based in Nashville, her path has crossed theatre stages, poetry readings and dancefloors before landing in the emotionally charged territory she now calls home. Her sound fuses haunting vocals, sharp electronic textures and sweeping arrangements that drift between indie electronica and dark alternative pop.
She first entered the scene through club-oriented tracks under a different alias, but it was the allure of narrative depth and atmospheric production that eventually defined her signature style. The result is a catalog of emotionally immersive songs that blur genre lines while resonating with a broad and loyal audience. Her music has appeared on networks like Netflix, ABC, Freeform and Paramount, and has been praised by international press.
Later this month, Sciarra will expand her creative world even further with a new release titled Obsessed, a sharp and playful electronic track set to coincide with the launch of her latest fashion design: a pair of bold sunglasses engraved with the phrase “f*ck off”. The drop will be available through her label @shopsciarra, reflecting her continued commitment to empowerment through style and sound
With over 300,000 fans across social platforms and recent placements in the Dungeons and Dragons trailer and Hulu’s How I Caught My Killer, Sciarra continues her raise on the pop scene. Every release is a scene, a statement and a stand.
Shylah Ray Sunshine
Shylah Ray Sunshine brings healing to the spotlight. A First Nations Algonquin artist originally from Canada and now based in California, she merges neo-soul, R&B, jazz, blues and hip hop into a voice that commands both power and grace. Her second full-length album, Lessons in Love, is a radiant exploration of self-worth, relationships and emotional maturity.
The record’s themes are rooted in transformation. Tracks like “GIRL.” and “U.N.I. Verses” unfold like personal mantras, carried by deeply expressive vocals and sophisticated arrangements. “So Far,” another standout single, adds a layer of introspection, with smooth melodic phrasing wrapped in warm, analog textures. Throughout the album, Shylah blends soulful instrumentation with candid lyricism, affirming her ability to deliver emotionally charged narratives without sacrificing musical intricacy.
Shylah is no stranger to accolades. In 2023, she was named Best Female Vocalist at the Hollywood Independent Music Awards. In 2024, she received the World Entertainment Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, with Lessons in Love nominated for Best R&B Album. These achievements reflect a consistent artistic vision grounded in empowerment, vulnerability and growth.
Also known for her work as a vocal coach, DJ and activist, Shylah brings a multidimensional energy to every performance. Whether on stage or in the studio, she channels a message of fierce love, healing and creative freedom, continuing to expand what soul music can be in the modern era.
Martha May
Popstar Mermaid Martha May has emerged from the depths with a mission: to make vulnerability sparkle. Originally from the coastal city of Split, Croatia, and now based in London, she crafts glitter-drenched pop anthems with sharp emotional edges. Her latest single, “People Person,” captures this balance perfectly, blending theatrical flair, diary-like honesty and an irresistible hook that lingers long after the first listen. are no less enchanting. Her most recent headline at The Servant’s Jazz Quarters sold out, solidifying her as a must-watch act in London’s indie-pop scene. Drawing influence from icons like Marina, Lorde, and Chappell Roan, she brings a magnetic stage presence and a distinctive syren vocal that glides between sweetness and intensity.
In 2025, Martha returned to the Croatian Eurovision National Selection (Dora) with “Running To The Light,” a powerful ballad about leaving home that struck a deep chord with viewers. Though she didn’t claim the crown, her performance resonated widely, a reminder that connection, not competition, is what defines a star.
Armed with degrees in music and musical theatre, Martha is now gearing up for her next headline show, the Summer Solstice Delulu, at The Waiting Room on June 21. With her debut EP on the horizon, she’s ready to show the world what happens when fantasy, performance and pop brilliance collide.
AkayCentric
AkayCentric brings heart to every note. Hailing from Lagos and now making waves in California, the Afropop and Afro-R&B artist merges classic soul with contemporary sensitivity. His 2019 single Body and Soul recently found new life in a stripped-back acoustic performance, showcasing a voice that’s equal parts delicate and commanding. With trembling vibrato and smooth phrasing, the performance unfolded like a conversation, full of intention and intimacy.
His live rendition of No.1 Fan by Canton Jones, featured on the debut episode of LiveINRoom, further affirmed his commitment to honesty in music. The episode paired performance with open dialogue, offering rare insight into AkayCentric’s process and philosophy. “I don’t create to compete,” he said during the interview. “I create to connect.” That ethos runs through every detail of his artistry, whether in a living room acoustic set or on stage opening for Tone Stith.
Citing Tems and Wizkid’s Essence as a song he wishes he had written, AkayCentric draws from a well of cultural resonance and emotional depth. With new music on the horizon, he continues to refine his mission: crafting timeless songs rooted in vulnerability, patience and purpose.
There is no formula holding these artists together, only a shared refusal to dilute. Their releases are the result of long processes, fragmented influences and bold choices. Together, they represent a cross-section of music that doesn’t chase attention but earns it through depth, risk and clarity of voice.
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