Kick down your CD shelves, burn all your records and delete all of the MP3s. It’s time to make room for some new music.
BANKS
At times there seems to be a never-ending supply of ethereally-voiced, highly attractive young women promising greatness but who inevitably disappear after one album (Claire Maguire, Alpines to name a couple). Fortunately, BANKS is different. Having released her London EP to critical acclaim in September, supported The Weeknd on tour and been touted as the next big thing by the likes of Ellie Goulding, she looks set to take her dark, soulful music to a wider audience next year.
Chance the Rapper
Chance the Rapper is another rising star with many famous friends, receiving praise from Mark Ronson, Kendrick Lamar and Diplo over the past year. He has pledged to change hip-hop and his his releases so far have shown influences from jazz, his hometown Chicago and personal experiences. Only a couple of months ago he demonstrated his further versatility and creativity by releasing ‘Life Round Here’ (below) with Mercury Prize winner James Blake, and looks set to break new musical boundaries in 2014.
Josh Record
With a name like that he was destined for musical greatness, and so far he hasn’t disappointed. He recently supported London Grammar on their tour and with his beautiful harmonies he’ll soon be soothing your Sunday hangovers in the New Year.
Bipolar Sunshine
The Bucket have championed the lad from Manchester since the beginning. His eclectic sounds and topical lyrics have been well received and, after supporting Bastille, we’ll hopefully see him headlining his own tour this year.
Jungle
They’re not wild animals, just two guys from London. Showcasing some groovy R’n'B, they are managing to stay anonymous despite today’s obsession with celebrity knowledge. This air of mystery is only going to have you wanting more so, if you get chance to see them live, then go for it.
TCTS
A long time favourite of Eton Messy and Majestic, TCTS has demonstrated in a few short months how wonderfully euphoric electronic music can be. With ’1997′ and ‘Over’, as well as a few great remixes, he has shown an innovative and exciting approach to production and, as the New Year approaches, a host of festival appearances and hit singles surely beckon.
Glass Animals
Their single ‘Black Mambo’ featured on our All We Hear Is… playlist a few months ago, and since then they’ve got better and better. With mellow R’n'B beats and mesmerising vocal they embody the electronic-indie-hip-hop fusion which permeates our list. We’re looking forward to an album release very soon.
PINS
Providing angular punk and shouty choruses at their very best, PINS have already made a big impact with their LUV4LYF EP released earlier this year. Hailing from Manchester but sounding like many a band to have emerged from the doors of CBGBs, they provide an exciting, loud and a little bit dangerous alternative in the way which only a good guitar band can.
Sampha
Having made a big name for himself with his vocals appearances on SBTRKT’s phenomenal debut album and subsequent tour, Sampha has built his reputation further in 2013 with his fantastic Duel EP and a performance with Drake on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Expect more haunting, soul searching tracks in 2014 from an artist who has the rare ability to move both the heart and the feet.