You might not be terribly familiar with these artists yet, but we're betting you will be soon. We consulted our industry sources and are ready to prognosticate this year's breakthrough artists. Last year, we kind of nailed it, so let's hope history does its thang. In no particular order ...
So, this used to be a family band called Rockinhaim starring Mama, Papa and their three daughters. The chicks (Este, Alana, Danielle) have left the nest, going solo under the name Haim (Pronounced Hime). These three Californian pop musicians are hyped as one of 2013’s latest talents and you know what, it's looking good. They toured with Mumford & Sons and Florence & The Machine so that always helps. Their debut album drops sometime this year.
This Scottish Electro-Pop trio has recently stirred the music blogosphere with their debut single “The Mother We Share.” Melancholy meets Euphoria à la Robyn & M83.
London duo Aluna & George have only released a handful of tracks so far but already have mastered the art of mixing Dub & Pop into one smooth ride. Similar in style to other acts such as SBTRKT or Purity Ring, we want more ...
Orchestrated Noise sums up the sound of this female quartet best. The four Londoners might not have reinvented the Rock genre, but certainly have a fresh approach to the post-punk bands such as Siouxie & The Banshees.
In the grand tradition of rocking "S's" as dollar signs, fur coats, naked girls, Cristal, gold-plated Margelia sneakers, and cruising around Paris with the top down smoking a J, say "what up" to A$AP Rocky. He built a big following with his mixtape “LiveLoveA$ap” and the album drops later this year. "Till ya get lock jaw" indeed yo.
18-year-old Londoner Archy Marshall is, amazingly enough, already a music veteran having previously made a splash under the name Zoo Kid. He's what we call, "mature for his age," with a sound reminiscing the melancholia of Weller or Morrissey. On a side note, this kid's got Burberry campaign written all over him.
Detroit's Angel Haze might appear as the next Azealia Banks – but the girl has got her own thing going on. She followed in the footsteps on Frank Ocean, The Weeknd and A$AP Rocky by releasing a mixtape online and it didn’t take long for the notorious Island Records to sign this auspicious talent.
The Kid, (pardon The Wood Kid), worked as a video producer for Lana Del Rey, Moby and Katy Perry before venturing out on his own. And we're lucky he did. His album “The Golden Age” launches in March. We see some Antony & The Johnsons Halo’s above this young man. Run Woodkid run!
What is it with Sweden and Electro-Pop? Year after year they produce the most beautiful kind and we can’t get enough of it. Ellinor Olovsdotter a.k.a Elliphant is the latest talent to merge her Scandinavian electronic roots (à la Icona Pop) with the swag of an MIA or Santigold. More please?
She calls herself the, “Geeky kid of RnB” or as the Guardian calls her, “Like hearing Billie Holiday with the Beach Boys.” Her first single “She” promises a great album. 2013 might be a real British invasion.
The Weeknd a newcomer? Not really, this 22-year-old Canadian has blessed us with his voice for the past two years via free mix tapes – raved by critics and fans alike.
Why is 2013 his year? He got signed to Universal, launched his official debut album “Trilogy” and is now Drake’s protégé, so there you go.
