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2. Kwabs
From: London
Kwabs comes with a Jessie Ware stamp of approval, and Jessie Ware seems like a trustworthy, tasteful person. In the same vein as James Blake, Kwabs produces haunting, barren electronic music that somehow manages to still have soul. The vocals are the focal point, but the production provides and important context that makes Kwabs feel like a timeless talent but also undeniably fresh.
Kwabs covering James Blake’s “The Wilhelm Scream” below:
3. fyfe
From: London
fyfe seemed to appear out of nowhere fully-formed with his debut track "Solace," which boasted a well-rounded, cleanly produced sound, and a gloriously melancholy, unabashedly pop hook. Since then he has released a second track, the more grandiose "St. Tropez," and it turns out that fyfe is the alias of Paul Dixon, who had previously released an album of indie-pop as David's Lyre, which gives some context to the grander, more mature sound he is now pursuing.
4. Little Daylight
From: Brooklyn
Hearing "Overdose" for the first time was kind of like hearing Icona Pop's "Manners" for the first time. It sounds like such a hit that you have to wonder who, exactly, Little Daylight is and where they come from. As with a lot of new acts, they're not giving everything away all at once. While there's little info available so far, it makes it easy to focus on the music and get excited to hear what else they've got in store.
5. Wampire
From: Portland
One of the most promising bands of 2013 and their name sounds like the baby talk version of a well-known monster? That alone should be enough to draw you into the clutches of Wampire's unaffected, gloomy gems such as "I luv u" and their incredible Kraftwerk cover "Das Modell" that eclipses the original with a growling bassline to contrast the midi backdrop. Rocky Tinder and Eric Phipps formed the duo in Portland, OR and began recording their first album Curiosity last August, with help on the production end by Jacob Portrait of label-mate Unknown Mortal Orchestra. The result is chamber-pop littered with '80s throwbacks and vocals with fuzzy, auto-tuned cloaks. Certainly one to watch for this year, catch their debut release through Polyvinyl on March 5.
6. Zebra Safari
From: Stockholm
What we've heard from this duo of producers so far has been absolutely hypnotizing. Sometimes it's nice to listen to music that makes your brain feel heavy, and that's what "B.O.Y." and this edit of "Love" do. With deep bass and a powerful use of little slices of vocals, Zebra Safari produces the kind of music that makes it impossible not to zone out. And zoning out is very necessary and important.
7. Marika Hackman
From: London
It didn't take long to become obsessed with Marika Hackman. "Retina Television" was all it took, and the rest of her debut project (below) was just as fascinating. It turns out Marika is from London, but her crisp production and indie pop sensibilities make it almost hard to believe she's not Swedish. Maybe she has some Swedish blood in her.
*Reads Marika's bio*
Nothing about Swedish blood. Maybe "Marika" is a Swedish name?
*Googles Marika*
Nope, it's Hungarian according to Wikipedia. We will have to find out more about this Marika Hackman and her possible ties to Sweden.
*Spends rest of day Internet stalking*
It didn't take long to become obsessed with Marika Hackman.
8. The Flight
From: London
After premiering this London based production duo's track "What A Waste" and hearing another new track, "The Hangman," we know that if you're looking for moody, expansive production allied with delicate, somewhat morbid vocals, you are definitely going to want to grab their The Hangman EP when it drops on March 10.
The Flight have written and produced for some big, big names in the music industry, and will be releasing a series of EPs with various collaborators in the run up to the release of their debut album.
9. Nervous Nellie
From: Stockholm
Of course they're from Sweden. Nervous Nellie's "Gloves" was the American debut for the band and they came in at full speed, hitting us with one of the most immediate and arresting choruses we've heard in a while. These two sets of brothers have the production and style figured out, and with the right songs and exposure, they could do big things in 2013.
Listen to "Gloves" below, and the entire EP is here.
10. Pale
From: London
When Jas Henshaw, one half of electronic music deities Simian Mobile Disco wants to produce your tracks, you must be doing something right, and this mysterious duo came through with an absolutely gorgeous, subdued mix of smooth electronic production, funky guitar and nostalgic vocals. With "Too Much" being released on March 12th, and upcoming shows with Sky Ferreira, Pale are definitely a band to look out for.
11. Banks
From: Los Angeles
We first heard of Banks when she provided vocals for UK Funky/Grime producer Lil Silva's dark, but undeniably dance-floor orientated track "Work," and it seemed she was the kind of powerfully voiced singer who, in the mould of Katy B, could provide a big chorus for those club smashes. With "Before I Ever Met You," however, the LA-based vocalist categorically proved otherwise, as although the production is electronic, the track is a chugging, brutal breakup ballad, in which Banks' powerful voice and songwriting skills combine with great results.
