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.

Mychael Gabriel

After growing up around literal superstars, Mychael Gabriel is following the same path. Mychael’s father worked in Prince’s camp and eventually became Prince’s manager and president of Paisley Park. His mother was Sheila E.’s road manager and co-lyricist. It’s safe to say Mychael was able to explore and nurture his love for music from a very early age. His latest single, “Sunday Afternoon,” off his 2022 debut album, GENESIS, is a slow ballad about the ways relationships evolve. Highlighted by the piano and guitar, Mychael’s whispery vocals drift in and out, and somehow the track truly captures that Sunday afternoon feeling. -Natalia Toledo

Allie McIntosh

A multi-faceted musician with gymnastic vocal and instrumental abilities, 17-year-old Allie McIntosh is just beginning to see the light of where her career might take her. According to her manager Aaron Mader (AKA Lazerbeak of Doomtree), she was mentored by International pop star Robin Thicke last summer. And it’s one of many honorary achievements in McIntosh’s burgeoning career. Her new pop single “Want You to Stay” showcases her pitch-perfect vocal range and ability to sing with delicacy and finesse. Catch her live opening for New York-based singer Rachel Grae at Amsterdam Bar and Hall in St. Paul on April 6. -Diane

Dilly Dally Alley

Dilly Dally Alley is a Minneapolis-based, queer femme-led band, self-described as “eternally seeking out the perfect groove.” Listening to their song “Give Yourself Up to Yourself” I was instantly captivated by lead singer Sophia Spiegel’s smooth vocals, which are reminiscent of Lianne La Havas. The music fuses funk, jazz, and neo-soul. Their debut album Make You Whole will be out May 12, and it promises to be packed with “infectious grooves and upbeat lyrics” as well as vulnerable lyrics exploring themes of rejection, collective strength, and wisdom. Their release show is at Turf Club on May 17. -NT

Radiochurch

Radiochurch’s new record Stranger Than Fiction is for lovers. Think of a similar sex appeal to ‘90s R&B standouts Next, with hints of modern comparisons to Dijon and Frank Ocean. Vocalist Ellis Cleve romances listeners with his sultry voice padded with the band’s smooth R&B sound mixed with jazz, funk, and hip-hop. Radiochurch, a four-piece band, is especially clutch live. They will celebrate the new album’s release this April 15 at Green Room with special guests Birdroom and FruitPunchLoverBoy. -Diane

Pardyalone

Pardyalone, born Kalvin Beal, has been quietly making music and quickly blew up. The 22-year-old Big Lake, Minn., artist recently hit the road with Mod Sun and Arden Jones, and worked with Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker on his latest single “Alone.” With Barker’s presence laying the bed for Pardyalone’s soaring vocals, Beal keeps you going when pain is all you can see. He wields his music as an ingenious, fragile thing of beauty. Pardyalone will be on tour nationwide this spring and will be hitting the stage at Lollapalooza in August. -Youa Vang

Laamar

 While some songs may leave room for interpretation, Geoffrey Lamar Wilson’s new single “Home to My Baby” gives you the storyline and lets you sit in its unvarnished truth. The track recalls old-school country threads and weaves it with jangly rock. Laamar’s vocals come through clear and strong, dancing back and forth, gaining momentum. Laamar will celebrate his single release with Molly Dean and Akie Bermiss on April 7 at Icehouse Minneapolis. -YV

Anna Graves

Pop singer-songwriter Anna Graves grew up in rural Minnesota without a TV. Today she’s signed to Island Records alongside megastars like The Killers, Chvrches, and Demi Lovato. After spending time in both Nashville and Los Angeles, she returned to Minnesota where her love for artists like Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Fleetwood Mac developed. Her latest single “Easy For You” is a personal tale about a difficult relationship. “I need to make music that makes me feel like I am being honest with myself, writing about my own experiences or painting a picture of what I imagine life is like below a façade,” she says. -Diane

Cryote

Over the past few years, indie-pop rockers Step Rockets have intermittently released new music (and opened for Bon Jovi at the Xcel Energy Center). In between, they’ve been working on putting out solo works. The group’s vocalist Joshua J. Schmidt, under the name Cryote, found inspiration by working through his personal struggles, including losing his father to cancer and a childhood friend to addiction. Fathering two babies during the pandemic also helped shape the material for his upcoming album, Transcendental Love Songs. His first single, “Have Mercy,” is a light and complex, leaning heavy on the pop side, and sifting through the despair for hope. Cryote will perform with a full band at Sociable Cider Werks on April 8. -YV

Juice Lord

St. Paul-based Malik Curtis, better known as Juice Lord, is becoming a household name in the Twin Cities hip-hop community. In March, he released his latest project, 8th Inning: Luv vs Passion, accompanied by a sold-out release show at 7th St Entry featuring an amazing lineup of local talent. The inspirational song “Blessed Up,” featuring Prince Riley, is a funky, smooth track that reflects on the ability to remain strong, focused on our blessings, and positive throughout loss, grief, and hardships. -NT

Jaedyn James

Jaedyn James is an enigma. She defies all genres and it’s hard to compartmentalize her into one role. Over the years, the singer has shared stages and bills with international acts such as Brandi Carlile, Sisqo, People Brothers Band, and the Shins. With her latest single “Here in Your Love,” the artist shares the safe space she finds with her lover and how she blossoms there. The song echoes a late-‘70s slow jam and enfolds her Etta James-esque vocals. James has forged a strong and bold sound out of immersing herself in great music. “Here in Your Love” is a charmingly simple song of sentimental charm, twinkling hope, and imperfect beauty. Jaedyn James will perform at the Walker Art Center’s After Hours Party for Pacita Abad on April 14. -YV

Tacklebox

Explosive emotions, playful rocking instrumentation, folky twinges, and a distinctive Clap-Your-Hands-Say-Yeah-esque vocalist characterize the music of Tacklebox. The new supergroup includes members of popular Minneapolis indie-alt bands Goodnight Gorillas (vocalist Joe Graves and drummer Connor Peck) and Remo Drive (bassist Stephen Paulson and guitarist Dane Folie). Their debut EP sle(ep) explores new sonic and stylistic territory while expanding their DIY punk roots. Track 1, “Satellite Farmer,” was featured as The Current’s Song of The Day on January 27, and here’s a recent profile of the band. -Diane