Need someone new to fixate on now that One Direction is no longer a thing? Here’s everything you need to know about BTS, A R I Z O N A, COIN and more boy bands that are on our radar this year. After you give their bios a glance, check out our playlist for their must-hear tracks!
1. BTS
These guys are on the list for obvious reasons. In a nutshell, they’re cute and powerful. Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Rap Monster, Jimin, V, and Jungkook hail from South Korea, and have released bestselling records in both Korea and Japan. As of May 21, they’ve unseated Justin Bieber from his Top Social Artist throne at the Billboard Music Awards — not an easy feat.
Essential tracks: “Dope,” “Run,” “Blood Sweat & Tears”
2. A R I Z O N A
That’s the band, not the state. Zach, Nate and David are the ones behind this electro-pop outfit, and 9 million monthly Spotify listeners don’t lie. They’ve just release their debut album Gallery, finally putting their talents on neat display.
Essential tracks: “Oceans Away,” “Annie,” “Cross My Mind”
3. COIN
COIN, which consists of Chase Lawrence, Ryan Winnen, Joe Memmel, and Zachary Dyke, is not only one of the best-dressed bands around; they’re the most danceable, too. Their new album How Will You Know if You Never Try is easily one of our favorites of 2017, and you’ll want to see Chase’s breakdown of it here.
Essential tracks: “Talk Too Much,” “Boyfriend,” “I Don’t Wanna Dance”
4. Saint Motel
This band stole our hearts thanks to the Paper Towns soundtrack, and it’s virtually impossible for A/J Jackson, Aaron Sharp, Greg Erwin and Dak Lerdamornpong to create anything other than a jam. They’re fresh off an arena tour with Panic! at the Disco, and they’re doing all of the important festivals this summer. Also, the name of their latest album, saintmotelvision, is super fun to say.
Essential tracks: “My Type,” “Move,” “Cold Cold Man”
5. All Time Low
They’ve long since graduated from the Warped Tour circuit, and their 7th studio album Last Young Renegade, which is right around the corner, features a slightly different sound (in a good way.) Alex Gaskarth, Jack Barakat, Rian Dawson and Zack Merrick have grown with us, and damn, are we grateful.
Essential tracks: “Dear Maria, Count Me In,” “Backseat Serenade,” “Dirty Laundry”
6. Years & Years
You didn’t think we were going to leave out the Brits, did you? Olly Alexander, Mikey Goldsworthy, Emre Türkmen and Dylan Bell are best described as electropop with a sprinking of R&B, and it works. You have definitely heard “King” before. Don’t act innocent.
Essential tracks: “King,” “Take Shelter,” “Meteorite”
Listen to all of the songs mentioned above:
HollywoodLifers, who’s your favorite boy band right now?