Take a Look at the Music Acts that Will Take Over Your 2016
The BBC has just announced the 2016 winner of their annual new music poll, and experimental songwriter Jack Garratt tops the list.
He was joined on the Sound of 2016 list this year by R&B artist Nao, indie rockers Blossoms, pop singer Alessia Cara, hip hop collective WSTRN and electronic producer Mura Masa.
The list is worth paying attention to as it’s compiled by some 144 tastemakers from across the music industry with a history of predicting big acts. Adele and Sam Smith have won previous years.
Here’s what they sound like.
The winner: Jack Garratt
Bearded Garratt from Buckinghamshire nearly went into teaching, but thankfully diverted his attentions early on. He says he’s influenced by Stevie Wonder and his track “Breathe Life” has had over a million plays on YouTube already.
Second: Alessia Cara
The Canadian singer is only 19 but she’s been playing guitar since she was ten and has already started racking up fans worldwide for her captivating Winehouse-esque ballads. She began by posting covers of the likes of Taylor Swift to Facebook before quickly attracting industry attention.
Third: Nao
Nao’s upbeat R&B / electronica hybrid has seen her turn heads on her first UK tour, which kicked off this week. The London-based musician studied jazz at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and cites Prince and Stevie Wonder as inspirations.
Channel Orange pic.twitter.com/rTxCVHyeZ4
— NAO (@thisNAO) December 29, 2015
Fourth: Blossoms
They’re from Greater Manchester and cite Oasis and Arctic Monkeys as influences but Blossoms aren’t (thankfully) another derivative rock band – instead their synth-heavy, somewhat psychedelic and even occasionally funky anthems stretch back further into pop’s rich archive. They rehearse in their bassist’s granddad’s scaffolding yard.
Fifth: WSTRN and Mura Masa
London hip hop collective WSTRN and electronic producer Mura Masa shared fifth place.
WSTRN, aka cousins Akelle Charles and Haile and their friend Louis Rei, say they make “feel good” music and have been influenced by everything from The Fugees to The Carpenters. Their laid back single “IN2” dominated 1Xtra’s playlist last autumn and has racked up 12 million views on YouTube.
It’s official we made it to 5th place on the @bbcmusic #SoundOf2016 shortlist!!! Many thanks pic.twitter.com/Od1jqMbQhV
— WSTRN (@WSTRNmusic) January 4, 2016
Mura Masa, meanwhile, is probably the best Guernsey-born bedroom producer named after a Japanese swordsmith you’ll hear this year. Ploughing the kind of fertile terrain that’s sustained Four Tet and Jamie XX for years, the man known as Alex Crossan to his mum uses everything from bamboo flutes to thumb pianos to create his unique electronica. “Love For That” is a good starting point into his musical world.
honoured to’ve made the shortlist at #5 for the BBC #SoundOf2016
It’s gonna b a good year https://t.co/1ue0WVLlnp pic.twitter.com/khEdDFFiiw
— ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ (@mura_masa_) January 4, 2016
Why the BBC list is worth keeping an eye on
Over 100 music industry experts are asked for their tips of the year, and the panel includes an impressive array of tastemakers. Music writers, radio producers, DJs, concert promoters and festival bookers make up the list.
Previous winners have included Sam Smith, Haim, Ellie Goulding and Adele, who all went on to achieve great success following the tip. The first award was won by 50 Cent in 2003.