Exron’s Artists To Watch in 2022 – [Read]

Dance music made massive strives in 2021 mostly due to the sheer amount of creativity from COVID lockdowns. Raw human emotion was palpable in the releases this year and gave everyone a much needed sense of community. Although live events returned in 2021, it was really about the music this year. We’ve hand-selected ten artists that we believe represent the future of electronic music in 2022 and beyond. Generating waves in their own unique realms, these artists caught the attention of fans and industry professionals alike this past year. Check out our Artists To Watch in 2022 below! 

1. Fred again…

UK music wizard Fred Gibson, professionally known as Fred again…, stepped onto the scene and captured the hearts of millions in the past year. His debut album “Actual Life (April 14-December 17 2020)” documented a very personal journey through Fred’s intermost thoughts and feelings with glittering synths and resonating vocals. Amassing millions of streams, Fred quickly followed up with “Actual Life 2 (February 2 – October 15 2021)” which only further solidified Fred’s musical prowess and keen ability to blend samples, voices, and human emotion. Standout tracks on the album include “Kahan (Last Year)”, Tayla (Maybe Life)”, and Tate (How I Feel)”. He recently made his debut in the US with performances in Los Angeles and New York City. Fred again…’s budding discography showcases everything electronic music can and will be.

2. Cheyne Christian

Making waves in the New York City dance music scene, Cheyne Christian had a year full of accomplishments. With a flair for afro house and infectious beats, Cheyne Christian kept the fans dancing throughout the year with releases “In The Air”, “Horny”, and most notably “Endless Summer” on Nic Fanculli’s Saved Records. The talented producer received staunch support from Carl Cox at his performance at The Brooklyn Mirage as well as Claptone’s support for “In The Air”. His lively discography and ability to keep people dancing positions Cheyne for domination in 2022.

3. Paige & Nihil Young

Paige and Nihil Young had an incredible year in 2021 and proved two is indeed better than one. Joining forces on over 10 original releases, this duo proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Notable releases include “Mercy” on Gorgon City’s Realm, “Cure or Remedy”, “Nightfall” and more. Although each producer continues to build their solo discography, the collaboraters show no signs of slowing down as they rapidly expand their fanbase. Their unique fusion of driving house music makes the duo an easy choice for artists to watch.

4. Tsu Nami

Tsu Nami marked her biggest year to date in 2021 with a long list of notable achievements. In addition to supporting San Holo on tour, Tsu Nami also captivated audiences at Splash House, Countdown NYE, and more. With releases on labels such as bitbird and Ophelia Records, Tsu Nami continues to expand her discography with her versatile releases. Most recently she closed the year off with “Dream About You” with Luma on bitbird. The infectious single provides a perfect snapshot into her distinct signature sound and positions her for another year full of success in 2022. When she’s not producing or performing, you can catch her making memes on Producer Affirmations on Instagram.

5. Rinzen

As 2021 saw the return of live events, Rinzen saw his most notable year to date. Captivating fans and industry professionals with his cinematic techno soundscapes, Rinzen’s versatility is what made him one of the standout artists of the year. Each set I had the pleasure of catching had some different to offer, showcasing Rinzen’s refined precision both in the studio and behind the decks. His 2021 releases were featured on a number of labels including Lane 8’s This Never Happened, deadmau5’s mau5trap, and “Photon” with Enamour appeared on Sasha’s Last Night On Earth. As he continues to pave his own unique path in dance music, 2022 only promises to be another massive year for the blossoming artist.

6. UNIIQU3

UNIIQU3 has been generating waves long before 2021, but this year served as a pivotal moment for her. Dubbed the queen of Jersey club, her disocgraphy evokes a passion for living life to the fullest and embracing the fun moments. In addition to her releases, she also has made a name for herself throwing parties in Jersey and her mission to inspire others to follow their passion. Her latest EP, “Heartbeats”, closes the year on a high note as UNIIQU3 continues to forge her own path and leaving a lasting impression on the dance music scene. 

7. Natascha Polké

Since her debut on the scene in 2020, Natascha Polké’s sound has resonated across the dance music space. Effortlessly fusing ambient vibes with driving techno, her releases showcase a growing studio precision that can not be ignored. With releases on Defintion Music and This Never Happened, Polké positions herself for more success with the coming year.

8. Moodshift

After stepping onto the scene in early 2020, supergroup Moodshift’s releases have been incredibly well received. The brainchild of Lucas Nord, Oliver Nelson, and flyckt, the Moodshift project has quickly evolved into one of the most promising group projects of the modern era of dance music. Notable singles of the year include “Walk On Water”, “All Of You”, and “Heartless”. As their bubbly and infectious signature sound continues to evolve, Moodshift shows no signs of slowing down in the upcoming year and fans eagerly await performances from the trio.

9. Kasablanca

Techno duo Kasablanca’s discography has quickly generated a massive amount of praise over recent years. With staunch support from mau5trap, Armada Music, This Never Happened, and more, the Kasablanca name has begun to resonate with global audiences. Evoking feelings of palable raw emotion, Kasablanca’s studio prowess is evident across each of their releases. Their recent remix of Above & Beyond’s classic “Black Room Boy” has been rinsed around the world and is guranateed to be a staple in sets in 2022. 

10. Hannah Wants

Hannah Wants has been building her career for quite some time but as she continues to evolve, her place in the dance music realm becomes more apparent. With releases on Ultra Music, Armada, Positiva, and more, her discography reflects her passion for her craft. Additionally, Hannah Wants also operates her own imprint Etiquette, only further defining her impact. As she continues to intrigue fans from all across the world, Hannah Wants positions herself in a prime spot for 2022.