MERGES (Artists To Watch)
After spending the past couple of months with Agnus in rotation, and having followed Merges since the “cool_v2” days, I can confidently say she’s one of the most exciting artists on the rise right now. The South Dakota native, now based in LA, blends alternative R&B, pop, and a hint of country in a way that feels completely her own. Her voice is dreamy, soft, and effortlessly expressive. Her songwriting is vulnerable, sharp, and incredibly relatable, the kind that feels like it was pulled straight from your own journal. And the production across her last two projects is so beautifully textured, I found myself pausing just to take it all in.
Merges’ latest project Agnus is one of my favorite releases from last year. It’s a six-track EP, and what I love most about it is how it feels like you’re stepping into her inner world. It opens with “Stampede,” which starts off with gentle acoustic guitar and ambient room noise, almost like she hit record on the mic mid-thought. From there, she dives into themes of love, longing, and nostalgia with this soft confidence that makes you lean in closer. “fingers crossed” is the one I can’t stop replaying. It’s tender, haunting, and captures that aching feeling of wanting something to work out, even when you're unsure. And when the final track “Agnus” closes with a voicemail from her grandmother, it hits like a warm hug and a heartbreak all at once, completely unexpected and completely devastating in the best way.
Merges has been moving with quiet force. After launching her career in Nashville at just 16, she’s crafted a distinctive sonic and visual identity inspired by an eclectic community of collaborators. Her 2018 debut single, “Undressed,” gained early attention for its raw vulnerability and unique sound, but it was 2023’s “cool_v2” that truly brought her into the spotlight. Since then, she’s released two back-to-back EPs that showcase her growth and solidify her as a standout in the alt-R&B and pop-adjacent space.
If you're into artists like Orion Sun, Fousheé, or Kehlani, Merges absolutely deserves a spot in your rotation. Her music feels like a safe space for soft feelings, deep thoughts, and late-night drives. She’s been teasing new music dropping next week on Instagram, adding even more excitement to everything she’s building right now, from sound to story to connection. 2025 is her year. If you’re ready to tap in, here’s a 10-track playlist to get you started: