by Jordan-Lee Pirrie
2017 is in hot pursuit of being one of the standout years for music. While big releases from the likes of Ed Sheeran and Drake continue to dominate the charts, the new artists hitting the scene are making waves around the world.
Here are 6 artists you need to get on every playlist you own…
Mura Masa
19 year-old producer Alex Crossan delivers a mix of low-key RnB and Pop that creates some
uniquely gorgeous chill out vibes. Taking influences from the likes of SBTRKT and Flying Lotus, as
well as early jams in bands on the island of Guernsey, his atmospheric tracks have went viral
around the world and earned him 5th place on the BBC’s Sound of 2016. His latest song with
Charlie XCX is a belter and will be immediately dropped into all summer playlists
Tracks you need: 1 Night (feat. Charlie XCX), Love$ick (feat. A$AP Rocky).
Jorja Smith
Invoking feelings of NAO, AlunaGeorge and Amy Winehouse, Jorja Smith channels her musical
upbringing into a soulful tone that stands out in the age of mellow beats. She released her first
song, ‘Blue Lights’ on SoundCloud last year from a Starbucks and within a week it had reached up
100,000 plays. The West-Midlands native is the jewel on Drake’s new album ‘More Life’ with the
standout track ‘Get It Together’ and basically you can’t argue with Drake. So don’t.
Tracks you need: Beautiful Little Fools, Get It Together (from More Life).
The Amazons
Reading-based band The Amazons struck a chord last year with sheer energy and energetic
performances that only aided their gigs selling out in a matter of hours. Their indie but radiofriendly
melodies throwback to bands like The Maccabees, White Lies and Nirvana that will be
danced to death at UK Festivals, including Reading and Leeds this Summer. Their debut album is
out in June and will definitely fill that indie band hole in your heart.
Tracks you need: Black Magic, In My Mind
Will Joseph Cook
I fell in love with Will Joseph Cook as soon as I watched his first music video for ‘Girls Like Me’. His
quirky, colourful and slick productions infect your head for days to come and there’s no slowing
down for the young singer-songwriter. Inspired by everyone from Vampire Weekend to MGMT and
Nick Cave, his tracks are as juicy as the orange on his album artwork. He’s playing a whole host of
shows across the country so get down to one to get your pop fix.
Tracks you need: Girls Like Me, Beach (I Wanna Make You Mine).
Maggie Rogers
If you haven’t heard this name by now you’re living under a rock. She went viral in 2016 when
Pharrell Williams was left speechless after she played her track ‘Alaska’ to him at a workshop. It
catapulted her into the spotlight and her debut EP doesn’t disappoint, easily played on repeat for
hours. She combines elements of folk, dance and RnB with her unmatched vocal tones and knack
for the catchiest of lyrics to make idiosyncratic tracks like no other.
Tracks you need: Alaska, On + Off.
Alma
Finishing in 7th place on Finland’s version of American Idol, she gives major Beth Ditto vibes in her
tone, and Adele in her infancy. One of her breakout tracks, ‘Dye My Hair’, is fitting down to her
ever-changing locks (“I’ve had all the colours you could ever imagine: pink, blue, green, yellow,
red, purple, blonde, brown,”). She’s pushing against the pop norms of skinny blonde girls featuring
on almost every track in the charts right now and dominating through her vocal talents and
individual looks.
Tracks you need: Bonfire (by Felix Jaehn), Dye My Hair
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