Music Recommendations Based On Bands You Already Like

The Kings of Leon have evolved into the kind of rock band that can move an arena—not an easy task. Coasts, however, have started off as the kind of band that can move an arena. With their first single, "Oceans," they're already sounding polished, catchy as anything we've heard this year, and anthemic enough to fit in on movie soundtracks, car commercials, and in stadiums. If this Bristol band isn't big within the next year, somebody's not doing their job.

Like Grimes, Butterclock makes the whimsical kind of pop that will will get stuck in your head even if the words mean nothing to you. Also like Grimes, it sounds as if maybe it was made in a garage. With echoing vocals and electronic beats that sound current only because they blend retro with futuristic, songs like "Holograms" should work to put the Berlin singer on the radar, and if she follows the career path of Claire Boucher, she will only get better.

One of the most impressive things about The xx is their ability to create interesting, varied songs whilst working within a fairly narrow aesthetic. Their songs are instantly recognizable as their own, but listen to an xx album all the way through and there's no shortage of ideas, not to mention a sense of cohesivesness and substance, qualities that are equally apparent in Vondelpark's glorious debut album Seabed. Vondelpark's mix of floating, liquid guitar melodies and crisp drum programming works to great effect across the entire album, never more than on the stellar "California Analogue Dream," a mid-album high-point.

Our first reaction on hearing Fe's music was to compare her to Lana Del Rey. The breathy vocals, the strong aesthetic, the air of mystery, they were all there. With only a couple of songs to her name, it will be interesting to see where Fe goes next and whether she can keep the quality high on subsequent releases. For the time being though, if you've played Born To Die one too many times and need a new sultry female pop obsession, fall in love with Fe.

Since returning from a three-year hiatus, Fryars has done everything right, releasing four tracks of twisted, emotion-filled electronic pop. With subtle manipulations of his vocals adding a sense of unease, tracks like "Love So Cold" build on glitchy electronic production with darkly atmospheric results, while with the most recently released "Sequoia" shows of a sunnier side to Fryars' repertoire.

There's not really anyone that sounds like The Knife do on their new album Shaking The Habitual, and although it is impressive in its inaccessbility, and admirable in its political activism, it's easy to start wishing there were a few more actual "songs" in the hour and a half run-time. For those amongst you who yearn for lurching, inventive electronic production and the kind of vocals that will get stuck in your head but remain somewhat unnerving, get to know Kate Boy. Consisting of three Swedes and an Australian vocalist, the as of yet faceless band have a single EP to their name, with an album on the way, scheduled for release sometime this year.

Rustie's been blowing minds for a while now with his jagged synth assaults and unashamedly colourful, maximal production style. His 2011 debut album is a masterpiece, stuffed to bursting wih ideas, textures, and sounds, and if there's one thing that Rustie and TNGHT share, it's the sheer power, and unrestrained energy they pack into each track. With the recent release of "Triadzz" and "Slasherr" Rustie's proved that he can combine the starburst synths that he's best known for with a brutal, trap-referencing, club crushing drop, making his music an essential addition to the collection of any TNGHT fan.

The importance of Frank Ocean doesn't need to be stated again, but as much as he's done as a presence in music as a whole, he's done for R&B specifically. And some people hate when you say that, but it's true—he's opened the door for a lot of people who normally wouldn't be paying attention to R&B, and it's spawned an awareness of like-minded singers who avoid the cliches and approach the music with an updated sensibility. Azekel is one of them. The London crooner's "That Feeling" should sit well with Ocean fans looking for more of that understated production and powerful but restrained delivery.

Brotherly L.A. duo inc. dropped a cohesive debut album of hazy, subtle songs in February, making use of their legnthy experiences as session muscicians for hip-hop and R&B artists to craft gently arresting soundscapes over which to softly croon. Young Londoner (and King Krule collaborator) Jamie Isaac is not as obivosuly R&B influenced, but listen to "Softly Draining Seas" and you'll hear a similar sense slow-burning emotion and spacious, yet meticulously arranged production.

Phosphorescent's Matthew Houck removed himself from his normal life and decamped to Tulum, a small community in Mexico in order to gain some perspective and get away from it all. Out of that solitude, his most recent album Muchacho was born, and it is a multi-layered, multi-faceted affair that is warm, enveloping and redmptive. At many points Hocuk's voice across like a cross between Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart and Justin Vernon at his more hymnal, but anyone who enjoyed the rich, bright sounds of the Bon Iver LP should take a listen to Phosphorescent's most recent effort.

Both Jessie Ware and Valentina got their first major exposure providing vocals for big name producers - Ware on SBTRKT's debut album, and Valentina with Joe Goddard on "Gabriel" - but the major point of comparison has to be between the two ladies' rich, soulful vocals. Both possess voices which comand attention and can shift quickly from a hushed whisper to a soaring chorus, and happily, both are still working with interesting, innovative producers like Julio Bashmore and Kwes.. So if you're looking for a less mainstream alternative to the lovely Miss Ware, look no further than Valentina's recently released Wolves EP.

Of the new wave of trap loving producers, Flosstradamus are one of the best known, having taken their "damn sons" and "turnt ups" all over the world off the back of a whole host of 808-fueled bangers. Jersey Club stalwart Dj Sliink has been bringing us hard hitting originals and remixes for what seems like ages now, and while Flosstradamus fans might recognise his name from their collaborative Nomads EP, he hasn't yet reached their level of notoriety, but with so many rough, tough tunes to his name, he really should have.

Belgian Fog cites Flemish songwriter Jacques Brel as his main influence, but he's got the kind of skillful songwriting and intricate composition that, as far as modern comparisons go, bring Andrew Bird to mind. He records, produces, and masters all the music himself in a home studio, and he does it with a maturity that you don't see often from young artists. Tracks like "Wait For Help" bring out a quirkiness without being at all joke-y, and while this style may not be the hot thing of the moment, it's the kind of music that feels timeless and sturdy.

Let's hope Starbucks doesn't get their hands on Dana Williams. This is that slightly jazzy, easy-on-the-ears kind of music perfect for the summer nights. Or the coffee shop.

Maybe it's because they are both from countries that lie within the Scandinavian boarders. Or maybe it's because they both possess this beautifully powerful but totally saccharin voice that's often paired on top layers of dreamy instrumentation. Regardless of the reason, there is a very distinct similarity between Swedish songstress Lykki Li and Norwegian singer Mr Little Jeans (aka Monica Birkenes). So if you're a fan of the entrancing, female electro-pop music mastered by Ms Li, you'll certainly enjoy the sweet stylings of Mr. Little Jeans.

Daughter's Elena Tonra conveys the deepest of pains, and the most painful of heartbreaks without ever raising her voice. What she shares with Bat For Lashes Natasha Khan is a penchant for dark imagery that tugs at the heartstrings, all delivered in such a personal way that you feel as if your witness to an incredibly private moment. Daughter's debut album is out now on 4AD, and lives up to the early promise of tracks like the still powerful "Landfill."

If you're a fan of Lapalux's stock-in-trade atmospheric vocal samples, warm synths, and deep bass, Atu's soulful concoctions should hit the spot. On his recent Pictures on Silence EP, the Ann Arbor producer mines familiar territory in exciting and vibrant ways, with songs like "Can Do It" and spectacular Sango collaboration "The Duo" serving as fitting focal points for his engaging blend of skittering drums and ethereal soundscapes. In the midst of a talented Soulection roster that includes killer players like Ta-Ku and Mr. Carmack, Atu's knack for organic thump manages to distinguish itself while working well within the current production landscape.

With his mystique-drenched trilogy of mixtapes creating an aura of drugs, sex, and youth in revolt, The Weeknd ushered in an unusual, new genre of R&B. Brooding, darkly atmospheric, and lacking any vestiges of cookie-cutter R&B, House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence marked an evolution in the genre that put an often ominous spin on territory touched on by Drake and Kanye. If you need some more music for your morally questionable late nights, New York-based BOY/FRIEND (or, as he's known on twitter, "Asian Gosling," which should tell you everything you need to know) delivers the vibe, the girlfriend stealing, and the ethereal vocals to tide you over until Abel Tesfaye returns.

Anyone at all enamoured with the fluttering synths and sky-high choruses that Passion Pit have made thier stock in trade would do well to check out Magic Man's recent Fox Head Demons EP, which matches pounding drums with mountainous synth melodies. The recent Neon Gold (HAIM, St. Lucia) signees are currently on tour with MS MR, and if they can pull together an albums worth of material in the same uplifting vein as their past releases, they should have a very bright future ahead.

Combining sombre lyrics with brighter guitar melodies, this Brooklyn four-piece create music with catchy melodies but a satisfying emotional depth. Viewing  post-punk through a poppier lens, their forthcoming debut LP should appeal to fans of jangly indie-rock as well as those looking for something a little more arty.