Let Kelly introduce you to some of the best new artists on the scene.
Jump to artist
Every now and again something turns up courtesy of the algorithm and you can’t help but pay attention. Last year I stumbled across a track called Avalanche by James Lee. Now, if you aren’t aware I’m a rock girl at heart. Throw in some big pop hooks and I’m all over it like a rash. Avalanche was a song that hit. A glorious groove, clever uses of synth, pop sensibilities and a masterclass in dynamics with a break that Slipknot would die for.
James started his journey in Kpop group Royal Pirates in 2011 as their bassist, but a tragic accident in 2015 nearly resulted in him losing his hand. Attempting to adapt to his injury he played synth for a while before his condition deteriorated, forcing him to leave the group.
After a batch of successful surgeries James left Korea and returned home to Los Angeles, where he began working on his solo project. This birthed ‘The Light’ EP which slipped into the top ten in numerous countries.
His love of metal, indie rock and KPop can be found sprinkled through all of his back catalogue. From his longing wistful ballad ‘I Fall Apart’ to the synth djent stylings of ‘Roses’, James' sonic landscape is vast, uncompromising and perfect for the world we reside in.
Check out his latest offering C4stles.
James Lee
Francis Doom
One of the artists that we’ve both been adoring recently is New Jersey based musician Jay Sakong aka Francis Doom. His melodic, melancholic blend of shoegaze indie rock burst onto the scene in 2024 with the release of his first album ‘I Caught A Light’. Filled with such beautiful hooks, deep introspective lyrics, and grooves so deep you’ll need to get a ladder to escape them.
Francis Doom is Jay’s first project away from OWEL; the American Indie Rock outfit which produced such awesome albums as 2019’s ‘Paris’ and the follow up master piece of ‘The Salt Water Well’ released in 2022. Their dreamy soundscape, mixed with electronic elements and swelling strings, was produced by Jay the vocalist, songwriter and guitarist of the group.
During the spring and summer of 2023 Jay began work on the Francis Doom project with long-time collaborator and fellow OWEL member Nunzio Moudatsos. Proving the best things always have the most humble beginnings. The ‘I Caught A Light’ album was recorded in a converted shed at the back of Nunzio’s house. The guys aimed to create music that felt both ‘Vintage and New’. Something that Jay’s writing and producing along with Nunzio’s engineering and cool as hell bass lines hit perfectly. But when the man himself describes the project as “like a ballroom, on fire, in space” who are we to disagree!
Check out Francis Doom’s debut full-length ‘I Caught A Light’ and several one-off singles including "Night Vision," "Sleep Sonnet," and "I'm A Ghost".
ANSON
So where do we start with Anson?
Other than the guy who writes monster ear worms and he’s coming for the title of emo revival King?
LA based native Anson Li is one of the pop-rock masters you are going to fall in love with. He mixes a beautiful blend of alternative, bleeding heart emo vulnerability, cinematic production and huge hooks. His songs will live in your head days after they’ve appeared in your playlist.
It was always on the books, Li was destined to make music. Anson grew up around music and started learning guitar at the tender age of just five (yes, he’s one of those). Followed by a stint at one of the ‘Fame’ Performing Art High Schools. Anson Li debuted in 2012 initially into the world of pop. Soft rock tinged songs of melancholy. Sweet, ardent declarations of teenage love and heartbreak. The EP ‘Go My Way’ in 2012 was quickly followed by ‘This is Love’ the following year. The seeds were sown for the foundation of something more in line with his personal tastes.
The reimagined ANSON arrived on the scene in 2017 with the amazing ‘To be or Nothing at all’. Lead single ‘Hailey’ immediately racked up millions of streams. In a world of manufactured pop, the underground scene was screaming out for something new, emotional and tangible. ‘Hailey’ delivered all of this in bucket loads. ‘A note for you to find…’ followed up the debut in 2021. Drenched in lovelorn lyricism you’re inner Romeo and Juliette can’t help but reenact the balcony scene!
Independent release ‘Bad Taste’ hit in 2024. Harder, more mature and soul searching. ‘The Art of Self Sabotage’ leaves you questioning everything. While its twin sister ‘Losing my Mind’ speaks to a generation in a way we haven’t heard since the glory days of emo.
‘Up all Night’ snuck onto streaming platforms in the Autumn of 2025. A single so addictive you’ll be questioning if someone is subliminally playing it to you in your sleep.
The emo revival is here folks. Get on the bandwagon before it runs you over!
KC
Michael Kim-Sheng
Every now and again the algorithm introduces you to something wonderful midst diet fads and the latest wonder cream.
Many of you might not be aware that despite Kelly’s goth rock leanings she is in fact a lover of orchestral soundtracks. So, when an excerpt from Michael Kim-Sheng’s latest release was introduced to her via the Matrix, she had to dive in.
Some of us stumble into music. We like it, it’s all around us, but we never expect to be dragged headfirst into it. Then there are others like Michael who were destined to follow the musical yellow brick road from birth. Born into a musical family, the son of a pianist; he began playing piano from the tender age of four. Chopin and Debussy echoed through the house and as a child Michael was enchanted. Then of course puberty hits and the rebellion begins. Musical diversity, electric guitars and drums began to ring through the house too. Music was as the old line goes, in his blood.
Classically trained and educated at the Jacob School for Music and McGill University he won the SoCan grand prize for emerging composers in 2018. ‘Haven of Lavender’ his debut album was released in 2019, a soaring mix of compositions falling beautifully between the two musical worlds of his youth. 2021 saw his prize opus ‘Heavy Moon’ begin to turn heads in the classical world. The seven track voyage of sonic splendour that asks you to delve into your psyche and express the feelings that radiate through you as you plunge into the depth of his vision.
His latest single Onward is a thing of absolute beauty. If you like the works of Dario Marianelli, Hans Zimmer and Ludovico Einaudi, you will adore this.
KC
Copyright 2025 KROKCast. Built by Black Banner
Sign up
Use our mailing list to stay up to date with new episodes