Welcome to The Scouting Report, a monthly list of 10 Minnesota artists with exciting new projects, as curated by our local music team. If you like these picks, check out The Local Show on Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m., hosted by Diane. For more music discovery from The Current, watch for Jeffrey Bissoy's The Come-Up, highlighting new local hip-hop and more. Also, each Thursday, The Current's music director Jade picks great new tracks from around the world.

Present Company

The new generation sure knows how to keep the ’80s alive. Present Company is a fledgling band with a devoted following in the Twin Cities. Their music channels post-punk with a modern twist. It’s synth- and reverb-heavy, grungy yet polished, and youthful in spirit. The band is heavily active -- performing, promoting, creating, and recording music, videos, social media posts, and more. Present Company just released a 14-song self-titled LP at the end of August, paired with a release at 7th Street Entry. The single “This Time” was also named The Current’s Song of The Day on September 16. -Diane

Huhroon

Huhroon (real name Haroon Rasheed) has been active in the Twin Cities scene since 2018, collaborating with producers like Kwey and Zak Khan. The 23-year-old released the Khan-produced “Peppermynt” earlier this year. Featuring whimsical vocals paired with a heavy guitar riff and a really fun beat, “Peppermynt” showcases Huhroon’s versatility. You can catch him live October 13 at Icehouse supporting 26 Bats! at their vinyl release show along with Alien Book Club. -Natalia Toledo

PaviElle

R&B singer PaviElle’s latest, produced by Professor C and Lazerbeak, is all about shrugging off the tough days and getting through. Written in the year since the Minneapolis interdisciplinary artist released her masterpiece Sovereign, the gospel-flavored tune hearkens back to the Jackson 5’s “ABC” in catchiness. These positive vibes are PaviElle’s way of sending out hope into a cockeyed world.  -Youa Vang

Kinfu

Having only released two singles since 2021, Kinfu has already established himself as a force in the Twin Cities. Last month, he headlined a packed show at the sought-after venue Icehouse and served as direct support for Brotherkenzie (Nathan Stocker, also of Hippo Campus) at Fine Line in Minneapolis. His releases “Clementines” and “Vacation” are modern alt-pop songs with accents of dance, hip-hop, and indie music. His nonchalance in appearance, vibe and tone makes him a mystery and, ultimately, an exciting artist to follow. -Diane

Angelenah

Angelenah, also known as rapper Angel Davanport, released her second studio EP, I Don’t Regret a Thing, earlier this month. “HML” caught my ear because it deeply reminds me of the sonics of ’90s R&B (think SWV and Monica, for example). The song reflects on a “situationship,” being able to remember our worth, and ask for what we need. Recently moving back to her hometown of Chicago, Angelenah made her mark during her time living in Minneapolis, including being part of Big $ilky alongside Psalm One and numerous performances at the Klituation. You can read more about her journey here in a recent interview for The Current. -NT

Maria and the Coins

As the warm weather becomes a distant memory, Maria and the Coins have released a haunting cover of the Temper Trap’s 2009 breakout alt-rock hit “Sweet Disposition.” The track is the soulful Minneapolis rockers’ first new material since 2020, which included the full-length album Forward and a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Compared to the original, this version is more piano-driven, and Maria Coyne’s vocals lend a softer touch. (For a whole lot more songs that inspired the M&TC sound, check out this Spotify playlist they curated, featuring Lake Street Dive, Carole King, and Taylor Swift.) What carries through in this rendition is the song’s representation of being on the verge of falling forever in love with someone. -YV

Glitteratti

Duluth’s Glitteratti may transport you to the aesthetics of Woodstock ‘69. Rich harmonies sung somberly yet tastefully are paired with organic instrumentation that radiates with delicacy. It’s Cat Stevens meets Pink Floyd meets Grateful Dead, and then some. Glitteratti have released two EPs this year, Rectify! and A Delicate Ballast, each with its own personality. The band is led by singer-songwriter Marc Gartman and backed by Tim Saxhaug and Dave Carroll of Trampled by Turtles, and Kyle Keegan of Watchhouse (FKA Mandolin Orange). Learn more about the supergroup’s “two sides” in our recent feature. -Diane

Landon Conrath

With nearly 800,000 monthly Spotify listeners, pop singer-songwriter Landon Conrath has one of the biggest followings among Minneapolis-based artists on the platform. His debut full-length album, Nothing Matters Anyway, just arrived in September, but the Bethel University grad has built an audience by putting out singles and EPs for the past few years. (In 2020, he spoke to The Current about the success of “Acetone.”) Conrath’s fresh songs immediately connect to the listener with sharp lyrics and modern pop hooks – you’ll hear both on “Telluride.” -YV

Henry Louris

Henry Louris is based in Fairfield, Connecticut. So, he’s not quite local, though he is the son of Minnesota legend Gary Louris of the Jayhawks. Therefore, the ties are strong. What caught my ears is the artistic strength and imagination of his self-produced music. It’s folk music dramatized with heavy layers of moody electronic soundscapes designed to channel listeners into their subconscious mind. The younger Louris is also an outstanding painter with a strong academic background in fine arts. This budding intellectual multi-creative may appeal to fans of John Lennon, Thom Yorke, or David Byrne. -Diane

Kokou Kah

Liberian-Minnesotan R&B artist Kokou Kah released “Good Company” in August. He identifies his music as true fusion. Tune in for heavy reverb vocally, hints of trap, and really unique switch-ups into pop. He also floats seamlessly between rapping and singing throughout. Check out this story from late 2021 to learn more about his journey. -NT