Best New Artists of the Month (November 2013)

Finding new artists is easier than ever, but this creates a problem: it's harder than ever to filter through it all and keep tabs on what's really good. With so many artists popping up every day, it's impossible not to miss out on some fresh faces and new sounds. With that in mind, we'll be highlighting our favorite new acts each month. Here are the Best New Artists of November.

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2. Vancouver Sleep Clinic

Move aside Flume, and step back Ta-ku, because there's yet another talented Australian in town. At only 17 years old, there is already an impressive maturity to Tim Bettinson's music both in subject matter and the atmospheric, delicate production. On top of that, Bettinson has an absolutely gorgeous voice, somewhat in the mould of Justin Vernon's tremulous falsetto, the kind of voice that really stuns on first listen and is subsequently endlessly enjoyable to listen to. His Soundcloud holds only two songs, but with an EP on the way, we can only hope to soon be further mesmerised.

3. Oscar Key Sung

There are varying levels of electronic influence on modern R&B music. Lately, the more heavily electronic R&B acts have been winning, and Oscar Key Sung has come along at the right time with the right set of skills. Instead of just adding a little synth or some wobbly bass to an R&B track, Australian producer/singer Oscar Key Sung's songs suggest that the intricate production is just as important if not more important than the vocals it comes paired with. But he can sing, too—no shaky falsetto bullshit here.

Look out for the debut EP in early 2014.

4. MaryGold

MaryGold is a New Orleans artist and the first lady signed to Curren$y's Jet Life label. It's hard to imagine Spitta falling for the left-field sounds of MaryGold, but he says Mary is "on another level," and when you imagine how high Curren$y probably was when he was first listening, you can understand why he fucks with her laid back, dreamy flow. It's dark, sexy, and a little twisted  in the best way.

Check out a couple highlights below and get her Sex Hormone'd Druggie mixtape here.

5. Benjamin Clementine

That voice, with all its little cracks and imperfections and uncontainable emotion. It hits with a physical force the first time you hear it, and then will stick in your head for days, maybe even weeks. Benjamin Clementine was living homeless and busking in the metro in Paris, having moved there from his native London, eventually getting together enough money to move in to a room of his own. While the story is moving, and adds extra emotional weight to his music, really, no context is necessary.

This is standalone standout soulful music of the highest caliber.

6. RÁJ

A reason to doubt RÁJ: he's only got one song. A reason not to doubt RÁJ: that one song is "Ghost." RÁJ hasn't revealed much about himself yet, but "Ghost" is enough reason to look forward to hearing more. Sounding like a song that could have been sung by Chris Cornell and produced by Emile, it's a powerful first impression.

Watch the video for "Ghost" below:

7. Marian Hill

Even if you're one of the many people tired of artists coming out and pushing the "mysterious" angle, when the music's good enough, it doesn't matter. So far, Marian Hill's music is good enough. We'll let the lack of information and shadowy press photo slide. The Philadelphia duo makes sultry pop in a minimal electro shell, and with "Lovit" and "Whisky," they're two for two.

8. After The Smoke

Rap out of Florida isn't known for music like After The Smoke's. The scene has been dominated by club-friendly, beat-driven music and lavish Miami drug rap, but After The Smoke brings a very different style to the table. Dark and unconcerned with making a beat you can make up a new dance to, it's a nice departure from the handclaps and bouncing bass.

Look out for their new mixtape Microwaves, coming December 11.

9. Kaleida

With sparse, sexy single "Think," London-based synth-pop group piqued our interest. An icy cool guides every element of "Think," belying a catchy sensibilities and an apparent love of 80s pop that never force duo down unnatural paths. While they only have one song floating around in the Internet ether, the women of Kaleida have already entered the crosshairs as ones to watch in 2014.

10. Tei Shi

The first song we heard from Tei Shi was "M&Ms," delightfully quirky pop song that sounded like a softly spoken Chairlift, but when she released her debut Saudade EP, we discovered that they were a whole lot more than a one trick pony. There are more standard electronic/indie-pop songs, R&B influences, and even the beautiful simple EP closer which is purely a capella. Lead singer Valerie's voice is warm and inviting, and it's great to hear it in so many different environments on this strong debut EP.

11. Sway Clarke II

Most of the artists on this list have a ceiling defined by their own creative ambition. Cutting edge indie music only has so much reach. With "I Don't Need Much," Sway Clarke II shows the potential to become a radio-friendly artist. He's already written songs for other big-name musicians, and his knack for catchy, accessible melody puts him in a good position to grow very quickly. Judging by the 75,000 plays he's already racked up on "I Don't Need Much," he's on his way.

12. Rosie Lowe

Judging by Banks' current success, Rosie Lowe might well be next up. She's got a similar air of mystery, a similar fragile but slightly throaty voice, and writes similarly emotional songs about love, loss and all that surrounds those two emotions. Having previously worked with Lil Silva (again like Banks), Rosie Lowe's new EP includes production from Kwes. and Dave Okumu, and as long as she keeps things interesting in terms of production, we'll be excited to hear what's coming next.

Rosie Lowe's Right Thing EP is out December 2.

13. Tev'n

In the past three years, R&B has had a bit of a renaissance, turning out some of the most adventurous talents in music, both underground and mainstream. The flood of excellent new artists doesn't seem to be slowing as 2013 rushes to a close, with mysterious London singer Tev'n tossing his name firmly into the ring. While you've likely read the words "mysterious London singer" enough times by now to make you involuntarily roll your eyes on sight, Tev'n impresses with a minimalist, post-dub take on the genre, fusing sparse, skeletal productions that still manage to be warm with a clear voice that gives compelling life to lyrics about love and longing–and he's only two songs into his career.

14. Slaughter Beach

Danish trio Slaughter Beach is bringing back a retro touch to rock that feels slacker-ish and anti-trying-too-hard. In today's climate of overproduced and crisply presented, it's a refreshing change of pace.

15. Mapei

She's not technically new, but the catchy-as-hell "Don't Wait" is her new song after years away from music, and it's a departure from the style of her past. From raps with a message to infectious pop, Mapei has shown growth as an artist and it will be exciting to hear what else she has in store for her first album on Downtown Records. We'll find out in 2014.

16. Samuel

If you're going to make hazy, woozy, electronic-backed R&B in 2013, you best do something to stand out. On the Falling Star EP, Samuel does just that, with the rich, beautifully varied production complementing his warm but fragile vocals perfectly. The EP can work as background, mood setting music, but if you really listen to Samuel's lyrics, and the tales of excitement but also loneliness that he's weaving amongst the synth melodies and bass, you'll love the EP even more.

17. Fem Fel

We first learnt of British rapper and producer Fem Fel's music through "Over," which was accompanied by this simple but extremely well done music video which we premiered. Although he is affiliated with UK hip-hop and grime stalwarts like Giggs and Skepta, Fem Fel's sound is something a little different, with vocals that edge towards spoken word and production that ranges from breakbeat-filled, to house leaning, to the sparse beat of "Over."

18. Hozier

Hozier is taking on the daunting task of breathing new life into blues. While acts like Alabama Shakes and Gary Clark Jr. are setting the tone with raucous guitar licks, Hozier is relying on more subtle but effective instrumentation and his grand, engrossing voice. What he's dubbing as "21st century blues" can be experienced in "Take Me To Church," the title track of his debut EP—Hozier's vocals tell a powerful story, even when you disregard the lyrics, as they're backed by soft, yet dramatic piano and percussions. It's a powerful first impression, and ironically, it sounds more like Hozier's taking his listeners to church instead despite his pleas. One could only imagine what this would sound like in acapella.

Listen to his Take Me To Church EP at his Bandcamp.

19. D. D Dumbo

Mixing traditional international sounds with a sharp, indie rock sensibility, Australia's Oliver Perry aka D. D Dumbo finds a surprisingly thin line between sounding brand new and very, very old. He's got the delivery and cutting guitar work of an indie rock band, but he's hitting notes that you're never going to hear on a [insert generic indie band name] track.

D. D Dumbo's self-titled EP is out now. Get it here.

20. Playlist: Best New Artists of the Month (November)

Here's a playlist of November's best new artists. Enjoy!

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