DNCE

The Joe Jonas-fronted new band was always going to start with a silver spoon in their mouths, so to say, but they also had the music to back it up. Debut single “Cake By The Ocean” was truly one of the strangest Top 10 hits this year, but it was just too good to pass up. The track broke the group in a big way, and if you caught their EP SWAAY, you’ll know they weren’t just a one-song wonder. The band also dropped their self-titled first full-length, which was also a great effort and very much needed in a year lacking many pop bands.

Gnash

You might not know the name Gnash just yet, but by now it’s unlikely you’ve been able to avoid his breakout tune, “I Hate U I Love U.” The track came out of nowhere and grew organically on streaming sites, eventually breaking into traditional radio in a very big way. After months of slowly climbing the singles ranking here in the States, it finally broke into the Top 10, officially making Gnash and his vocal collaborator Olivia O’Brien names to notice and reckon with. Of all the acts on this list, Gnash might be the one that is still working on being known, but his music isn't.