2020 may have been a write off, but here’s to 2021 bringing us some more good music, (fingers crossed!) actual live music! Here’s a list of some of the artists we’re most excited about going into this new year.
Askies // Photo credit: Glynn Parkinson
Who: Askies
Location: Leeds, UK
Sounds like: Dark indie rock anthems, melding burning riffs with power-driven vocals and big choruses. FFO: The Night Cafe, King No-One, Peace.
Sounds like: Dreamy melodies encased in rippling synths and mellowed vocals. FFO: Temporex, Vansire, Gus Dapperton.
Top track: ‘Wake Up’
Cap’n Marble
Who: Cap’n Marble
Location: California, USA
Sounds like: Trance-inducing harmonies, swaying guitars, and breezy melodies. FFO: Hockey Dad, The Lemon Twigs, Sunflower Bean.
Top track: ‘When the Sun’
Charlie Gamache // Photo credit: Will Cote
Who: Charlie Gamache
Location: Massachusetts
Sounds like: Glittering pop tracks filled with touches of funk and blues. FFO: Rex Orange County, Yellow Days, Wallows.
Top track: ‘Feelin Fine’
Distance Learning // Photo credit: Base Photography
Who: Distance Learning
Location: London, UK
Sounds like: Kaleidoscope of groovy instrumentals, humorous lyrical hooks, and sparkling sound-bites. FFO: Easy Life, Bad Sounds, Glass Animals.
Top track: ‘Life Is Meant To Be Enjoyed’
Eades
Who: Eades
Location: Leeds, UK
Sounds like: Roaring harmonies, slick rhythms, and addictive guitar hooks. FFO: Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, The Strokes, Pavement.
Top track: ‘Forgive My Mind’
Elephant Castle
Who: Elephant Castle
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Sounds like: Fusing funk and psychedelia with bright vintage tones, dreamy harmonies, and groove-laden basslines. FFO: Pond, Tame Impala, Babe Rainbow.
Top track: ‘I’m A Loser’
English Teacher
Who: English Teacher
Location: Leeds, UK
Sounds like: Hazy psychedelic soundscapes, spilling with rich vocals and cool guitar tones. FFO: The Orielles, Slowdive, Talkboy.
Top track: ‘The Treacle Trap Door’
golda may // Photo credit: Larissa Gabrielle Jaks (@snapsbyjaks)
Who: golda may
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Sounds like: Authentic lyricism portrayed via compelling vocals, layered with subtle, stripped back instrumentation. FFO: London Grammar, Olivia Broadfield, Tom Odell.
Top track: ‘Dear Los Angeles’
honeywhip
Who: honeywhip
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Sounds like: Woozy pop dreamscapes with tranquil lo-fi instrumentals and swirling vocal tones. FFO: Frank Ocean, The Marias, Sunset Rollercoaster.
Top track: ‘Feels Good To Laugh’
Josh Fudge // Photo credit: Ty Cobb (@tycohbb)
Who: Josh Fudge
Location: Oklahoma City, USA
Sounds like: Mellow vocals layered against glittering synths and subtle beats, oozing laidback sunny vibes. FFO: JWestern, Alfie Templeman, Far Caspian.
Top track: ‘When She’s Gone’
Lucid State
Who: Lucid State
Location: Oxford, UK
Sounds like: Exciting mix of R&B and neo-soul, packed with jazz-infused guitar lines, raw vocals and infectious choruses. FFO: Omar Apollo, Arlo Parks, Easy Life.
Top track: ‘Company’
Mollie Coddled
Who: Mollie Coddled
Location: Leeds, UK
Sounds like: Soulful pop with hints of lo-fi R&B, crafting a perfect balance of breezy vocal tones and swirling instrumentation. FFO: Matilda Mann, Temporex, Thea.
Top track: ‘One More Day’
Nana Adjoa // Photo credit: Timo Pisart (@timopisart)
Who: Nana Adjoa
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sounds like: Filled with layers of twinkling synths, and bringing relatable lyricism into vibrant melodies as evocative vocals travel through choral harmonies. FFO: Pip Blom, The Orielles, Solange.
Top track: ‘No Room’
parking lot
Who: parking lot
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Sounds like: Gentle synths layered with clouded vocals, pairing hints of soul with soft, chillwave instrumentation. FFO: Vansire, Jaguar Sun, JW Francis.
Top track: ‘Early’
Priya Francis
Who: Priya Francis
Location: UK
Sounds like: A gorgeous blend of R&B and acoustic pop, filled with rich vocal tones and sailing melodies. FFO: Jorja Smith, Tom Misch, Jordan Rakei.
Top track: ‘Jeans’
Shania
Who: Shania
Location: London, UK
Sounds like: Emotive instrumentals, sailing around rich vocals and vibrant, synth-filled soundscapes. FFO: Georgia, HAIM, The Japanese House.
Top track: ‘Pear’
Sam Wilde
Who: Sam Wilde
Location: Leeds, UK
Sounds like: Sparkling riffs and anthemic choruses, contrasting with bluesy rhythms and gritty vocals. FFO: Sam Fender, Glass Caves, Marsicans.
Top track: ‘Time Will Tell’
Yard Act // Photo credit: Oliver James Halstead (@_oliverjames11)
Who: Yard Act
Location: Leeds, UK
Sounds like: Humorous post punk with zipping riffs and familiar lyricism. FFO: Home Counties, Squid, Do Nothing.
Top track: ‘Fixer Upper’
The Yves
Who: The Yves
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Sounds like: Melancholic pop soundscapes, evocative of late night city driving. FFO: Wolf Alice, Brother., Whitney.
2020 may have been a write off, but here’s to 2021 bringing us some more good music, (fingers crossed!) actual live music! Here’s a list of some of the artists we’re most excited about going into this new year.
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