These are days that Taylor Swift dominates. The ubiquitous pop megastar is virtually everywhere. And some quarters are getting tired of it and starting to chip away at the infallible mystique that TS and her Swifties built. But at the rate she’s going, she’s going to break records, accomplish more things, and be around for a long time (God willing) than the likelihood of her going away anytime soon.

For that, we say one just needs a break from TS, and some variety can do you good. Here are a couple of acts that can serve as a palate cleanser.

24-year-old singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams can help you in that regard with her brand of indie-pop. Abrams has already built a sizable following since her debut back in 2019. A compelling singer-songwriter who cites Joni Mitchell as her main influence and inspiration, she’s up there with the likes of fellow twenty-something singer-songwriters Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and has opened for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Olivia Rodrigo and her 2023 studio debut album “Good Riddance” is one of the best of the year. Check out her latest, “Risk,” which precedes an upcoming new album titled “The Story Of Us” that’s due out in the middle of the year.

Those who’ve seen the sci-fi series Stranger Things will be familiar with Maya Hawke as one of the characters in the ensemble cast. Some may also know her as the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. But our preferred version of Maya Hawke has always been her musical side. As a singer-songwriter music artist making lilting, luminous tunes since her 2022 debut. Maya’s specialty is impressionistic music that sometimes verges on indie Americana. Much like her latest single “Hang In There.” The song is the latest single, previously released “Missing Out,” and “Dark,” that’s part of an upcoming new album (her third) that’s due this end of May titled “Chaos Angel.”  

And just like a song that blasts out on the radio comes NIKI with her grooving and head-bobbing “Too Much Of A Good Thing.” NIKI is Nicole Zefanya, a 25-year-old Indonesian singer-songwriter based in the US. What’s impressive about NIKI, besides her infectious new track, is the fact that she writes, records, and produces much of her music. She’s already got two albums under her belt, and a new one in August is forthcoming. Whoever said Jakarta, Indonesia, doesn’t rock or know anything.

On the local side, Rhodessa, the surprise 2023 breakout pop act floored everyone with her original-sounding “kisame.” The 22-year-old singer returns with a new single in “pagod na (sa’yo)” and again explores themes of heartbreak and relationship troubles with ambient and wistful sounds. The new song sounds like it was cut out of the same mold as “kisame” as there are some sonic similarities. Nevertheless, Rhodessa is the kind of left-of-center act one must listen to for a sonic reset.

Janine has been making waves for her collaborations with acts such as Arthur Nery and Cup Of Joe. Janine is like a lucky charm, so to speak. She’s the kind of vocalist who can sing with the best of them and still have something up her sleeve to kick the performance up a notch. And that, in a nutshell, is how her live version of “Hulaan” sounds. Janine’s confidence shines through in this lively and assured version that is pretty much a sonic snapshot of Janine in her prime.