21 up-and-coming country artists to pay attention to in 2021

This Dallas-based troubadour has two albums under his belt, and he just keeps getting better. His 2020 album Glad You Made It is packed with stellar songwriting, emotive singing, and plenty of chuckles to break up the sad songs. Walker hasn’t announced any new music for 2021 — yet — but he’s still a solid addition to the playlists of traditionalists and lovers of a classic, story-forward country tune everywhere. 

Arguably one of the most underrated artists in Americana, Valerie June’s much-anticipated album, The Moon and Stars, is set for release on March 12, is a must for anyone who’s a fan of seriously soulful country. Listen to “Call Me A Fool,” which appears on June’s forthcoming album and features a cameo from legendary Stax vocalist Carla Thomas for a sneak peek at the vibe you can expect. 

A legit outlaw with sonic sensibilities to match, Jaime Wyatt’s 2020 album Neon Cross was a serious critical success. Featuring cameos from Shooter Jennings and outlaw legend Jessi Colter, the album is a perfect intro into Wyatt’s musical ethos, with its classic country instrumentation and penchant for writing one hell of a heartbreak tune. Just listen to “Demon Tied to a Chair in My Brain” for a taste of that. 

Fans might recognize Waylon Payne for portraying rocker Jerry Lee Lewis in the 2005 Johnny Cash biopic Walk The Line, but his musical chops are worthy of praise on their own. His introspective 2020 album “Blue Eyes, The Pusher, The Queer, and Me” is a stunning showcase of story-driven songwriting set against a sparse, traditionalist sonic landscape. A troubadour in the truest sense of the word, Waylon Payne’s worked alongside greats like Lee Ann Womack, Miranda Lambert, and Willie Nelson. 

Mickey Guyton’s 2020 single “Black Like Me” brought into sharp focus one of country music’s most glaring issues: the extreme lack of racial diversity in Nashville. In addition to her trenchant social commentary, Guyton’s a stunning singer, with a pop-inflected sensibility that fans of Carrie Underwood and Maren Morris will definitely appreciate. 

Colorado singer-songwriter Clare Dunn brings a big, bold voice and a boppy, pop-driven sound to the airwaves. Her most recent single “Real Thing” is perfect for a road-trip playlist, and pop-country fans should definitely check out 2020’s “Get ‘Em Together,” a collaboration between Dunn and fellow up-and-comer Logan Mize. 

On her 2020 debut album “Expectations,” Katie Pruitt stunned country fans with her pure vocals and introspective songwriting. It’s a deeply honest and raw record that reflects on her experience as coming out as an LGBT woman in the world of country music — and as the child of conservative, Catholic parents — in stunning fashion. 

A Texan known for his swaggering stage show, Parker McCollum shot to the top of the charts in 2020 with his heartbreaker’s anthem, “Pretty Heart.” In 2021, he’s singing a little bit of a different tune in “To Be Loved By You,” released in January, and wondering why he’s the one with the broken heart. 

The new queen of tongue-in-cheek country has made a name for herself with sassy, funny songs like her anti-diet anthem “Thick Thighs” and the hilarious “PMS.” But beyond the gimmicky tunes, Block boasts a potent voice and catchy pop-country sound that sure sounds like it could top the charts. 

The son of ‘90s star John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery, Walker Montgomery is the continuation of country music history. The Kentucky native has already earned a devoted fan base with songs like “Like My Daddy Done It,” and “Saving For A Rainy Night.” 

After penning tracks for artists like Alan Jackson and Little Big Town, Hailey Whitters is striking out on her own. In 2020, Whitters’s album The Dream earned raves from critics and fans alike. For listeners who love Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert, Hailey Whitters is the perfect playlist fit. 

With a quirky vintage vibe and killer pipes, Lainey Wilson brings plenty of attitude and her own unique style to country music. A Louisiana native with plenty of sass, Wilson’s already released two new songs in 2021 — the raucous “Neon Diamonds” and tender “Things A Man Oughta Know.” Her debut full-length album, called “Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin,” is set for release on February 19. 

A self-described “free spirit” who’s earned fans in country supergroup The Highwomen after her cover of “Crowded Table” went viral, Brittney Spencer has a rich, emotive voice and wide-ranging sound. Check out the fun “Damn Right, You’re Wrong” for those moments when you need a little validation, and listen to “Sorrys Don’t Work No More” for a perfectly heart-wrenching breakup tune. 

With influences like ‘90s cowboy Chris LeDoux and rapper Post Malone, it’s no wonder that Ian Munsick’s sound is a little bit tough to nail down. There’s everything in the mix, from his thumping new single “Humble,” and the bluegrass-tinged “Me Against The Mountain,” along with a killer cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” that showcases Munsick’s top-notch falsetto. 

Devin Dawson’s come a long way since his mashup of Taylor Swift tunes went viral on YouTube. Since then, he’s scored a #2 hit with his debut single “All On Me” and worked on developing his pop-country sound. On his most recent EP The Pink Slip, which features tracks like the trap-influenced “Range Rover,” Dawson really starts to dial into his airwave-friendly sound. 

In 2020, Lily Rose stormed onto the country scene with the ridiculously catchy viral hit “Villain,” which blends elements of hip-hop, R&B, and country into a decidedly modern pop-country song. The track debuted at #1 on both the all-genre and country iTunes charts after racking up millions of listens on TikTok, which means that fans can expect big things from Lily Rose in the coming months, especially considering that she just inked a major-label deal with Big Loud Records. 

While not exactly a newcomer — Cody Jinks has had a cult following of fans for years — this Texas-born artist definitely deserves broader recognition. A traditionalist with roots in punk and metal, Jinks’s distinctly gruff voice and plain-spoken lyricism is pure country gold. Listen to his 2019 album “The Wanting” for proof. 

Another Texan known for his seriously rowdy stage shows and expletive-laden lyrics, Koe Wetzel has earned a seriously devoted fanbase in his homestand and beyond. In 2020, Wetzel released his much-anticipated major-label debut Sellout, which includes the raucous party jam “Lubbock” and the surprisingly emotional “Drunk Driving.” 

A former American Idol competitor who scored the only top-ten Hot Country Songs debut by a female artist in 2020, Gabby Barrett’s anthemic breakup song “I Hope” was a crossover pop hit — hitting #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 — and has since been certified 4 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. 

Morgan Wade’s eagerly awaited debut album, Reckless, is set for release on March 19, and don’t be surprised if it ends up on several critic’s “best of” lists at the end of the year. Blending bluegrass, classic country, and modern sounds, Wade collaborated with Jason Isbell guitarist Sadler Vaden to produce this much-anticipated release. 

With a distinctive swagger and sound that blends folk, Americana, and country with a touch of psychedelic elements on tracks like “The Real Thing,” Parker Millsap is a singular vocalist with incredible artistic sensibilities.