Celebrating Unique Voices: The Last Post of 2025

2025 is almost over. It feels surreal that we transformed this from a college radio program into a blog just ten months ago. It seems like I've been curating songs for years. I have, but now people who aren't related to me read this! So, thank you, dear readers, for being the starting point of this project. We're gearing up for bigger things in the next year. Stay tuned!

A Special Tribute to Unique Voices

Next Friday is the day after Christmas, and after that, it’s 2026! So, this will be the last post of 2025. I decided to do something special on The Unique Voices Club. Back when this was a radio show in 2017, we had a whole rotation of artists from singing competitions and other discoveries. They were regularly releasing new material, but not so much anymore. Still, I occasionally play their music. They deserve to be known by you and learned from. I mean, the Beatles haven't been a thing since 1970, and people still learn from them!

My Top Unique Voices

Here’s a list of some incredible artists you should check out:

1. Krista Hughes: She has a deep, guttural, almost bluesy country voice that feels like it came from the era of Willie Nelson. She performs live around West Virginia and occasionally does Facebook Lives, but she’s also a registered nurse now.

   
   

2. Korin Bukowski: Like me, she’s classically trained. But if you heard her releases, you wouldn’t think so! She first caught my attention as a bespectacled pre-med student with long hair that Adam Levine dubbed "cool" for her quirky adorkability and distinctive tone.

   
   

3. Evan McKeel: I love his acoustic albums Live Session No. 1 and Teal, which came out after he was on The Voice. He has a sound reminiscent of Stevie Wonder, seamlessly blending genres.

   
   

4. Lelia Broussard: She had the indie voice before it became trendy in pop music. Her sound is made of glottal stops and squeaks, but she can belt with dynamics. Thankfully, Blake Shelton gave her a shot!

   
   

5. Darby (Anne) Walker: At first listen, you might think she sounds like Florence Welch. However, she has a raspy belt and unique breaks in her voice. She’s released a blues song called "Take Me Back Blue" and covers many older songs.

   
   

6. Ehlie Luna: The daughter of immigrants, she’s now a makeup artist. But her one song on Spotify is an RnB, hip-hop electronic hybrid that’s worth a listen.

   
   

7. Wrestlerish: This South African alt-rock band broke up in 2014. They offer a fresh perspective on folk music that differs from American styles. Listening to them takes me back to my childhood!

   
   

8. The Flesh Eaters: I don’t usually listen to heavy metal, but the lead singer’s warbly voice caught my attention. It’s more of a drunken scream and talk-chanting style, reminiscent of Bob Dylan. They haven’t released anything since 2019, though.

   
   

9. Ex Hex: Watching the music video for "Waterfall" feels like a B-52s promo. Mary Timony’s voice is layered with reverb, giving it a unique quality. She’s been around since the 90s, so check out her other works!

   
   

10. ChianoSky: She released her first song when I was still in grade school. I’ll admit she’s an acquired taste, but she has a jazzy quality with a raspy belt. Another gem from South Africa!

11. Kaleigh Glanton: Her voice has a reedy quality, reminiscent of a viola. She yodels and flips into her falsetto beautifully. She has a YouTube video of an original song called "Stupid Love," but I wish there were more!

12. Bria Kelly: Coming from the same season of The Voice as Kaleigh, she’s like Janis Joplin reincarnated. Her vocal power and stage presence are incredible. Now a graphic designer, she should definitely release more music!

That’s my list for now. I hope it doesn’t expand further! I’ve learned from every artist here throughout my artistic journey. Maybe you or someone you know will too. Remember to listen to these artists' music and releases. You can also sign up for the Patreon to contribute to the plethora of unique voices shifting the music industry’s status quo. Lastly, have a happy holiday season!

Stay educated,

Alexia

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