Who Will Be the Next Foreign Act to Break in the U.S.?

From: Ireland

Genre: Blues rock

Potential: Festival Favorite

Why: Hozier's "Take Me To Church" cut through the clutter this summer, a pained, bluesy broadcast from Ireland's Hozier that gained added dimensions with its harrowing video, chronicling the backlash two gay men face when their community finds out about their love. The combination of poignant lyrics, a pointed message, and an earthiness that avoids feeling stuck in nostalgia give Hozier the potential to win over a diehard core and a platform to play to the popular periphery.

From: Sweden

Genre: Pop/R&B

Potential: Pop Star

Why: Merging R&B, hip-hop influences, and electronic sounds into a pleasing, left-field pop stew on single "Don't Wait," Sweden's Mapei catapulted herself to the forefront of the conversation of artists to watch in the coming year. A slight rasp (and a background in rap) gives Mapei's considerable voice an edge that translates emotion in the way the average pop starlet wannabe cannot, giving her a distinctive way to really connect with listeners.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR MAPEI, THE SWEDISH SINGER WITH ONE OF THE CATCHIEST SONGS OF 2013?

From: New Zealand

Genre: Synth-pop

Potential: Radio Ready

Why: Though New Zealand duo BROODS only has one song to their name, the guidance of Lorde-producer Joel Little and the fact that that one song is an anthemic slice of synth-pop bode well for the group's future. With a recently inked deal to Capitol Records and a pop landscape that is slowly, steadily shifting (thanks in no small part to Little), it seems that BROODS may get the right push at the right moment in time to jump from online buzz to real-world popularity.

From: Sweden

Genre: Alt. Pop

Potential: Pop Star

Why: Though Elliphant first popped up on our radar in late 2012 and had a mostly quiet 2013, the Swedish starlet-to-be recently inked a deal with Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Records, giving her a mega-producer and a major label shot at assaulting the charts in 2014. Drawing influence from M.I.A. and Santigold, Elliphant may be able to merge the edge she exhibited on her debut EP with a wider sensibility to create something that pushes her towards pop prominence. Plus: she's been spending some time around producers like Diplo and Skrillex.

INTERVIEW: ELLIPHANT ON SWEDEN, DIPLO, SKRILLEX, AND HER DEBUT ALBUM

From: Vancouver/Bogotá

Genre: Indie pop

Potential: Indie Star

Why: Effortlessly blending slow-burning pop, atmospheric electronics, and a sultry voice, Tei Shi emerged with little warning as an artist well worth watching this past summer. Though her style still has much room for growth and polish, her excellent, succinct Saudade EP gave a glimpse of potential in action, sounds likely to keep the Internet buzzing and translate into real world intrigue as she releases more music.

From: England

Genre: Pop

Potential: Radio Ready

Why: Arriving on the Internet with little fanfare or explanation, trio London Grammar's gorgeous debut single "Hey Now"—a cinematic take on The xx's aching production and the pyrotechnics of a Florence and the Machine Song–sparked an impressive 2013 that culminated in their stellar, slow-burning debut album, If You Wait. While there might not be a void in the pop landscape readily awaiting them, London Grammar's painstaking songcraft and capacity for subtle anthems that spring from ballads give them the sort of glass ceiling that they could easily, suddenly crack on the way to greater heights.

From: England

Genre: Soul/R&B

Potential: Critical Darling

Why : To hear Kwabs' voice for the first time is to come in contact with an almost otherworldly instrument, a powerful bass that taps into a sound and feeling rarely accessed, deep and spiritual. While his music–in all its subtlety, subtance, and nuance–doesn't scream Top 40 success, it is the sort of sound that could make Kwabs an important artist, the type that deeply influences singers and songwriters to come and resonates with fans.

From: England

Genre: Indie-rock/pop

Potential: Indie Star

Why: With a concise, ambitious catalog that oscillates between touching, downtempo songs like "Fire" and more anthemic entries like "Rivers." It's a blend that will please passive fans and diehards alike, the sort of music that would make sense in films and commercials, independent in spirit but no less pleasing or poppy for it.

From: England

Genre: Synth-pop

Potential: Indie Stars

Why: If Drive and Only God Forgives director Nicolas Winding Refn is looking for a new synth-pop muse, stylish London-based duo Kaleida is ready to provide the inspiration. Combining icily enchanting vocals, sparse, 80s-inspired electronic production that still feels modern, and a general air of detached sexiness, Kaleida's music is the best kind of hat-tip to the past, taking the finest elements and polishing them up into something that feels familiar and fresh simultaneously.

From: Australia

Genre: Indie Folk

Potential: Radio Ready

Why: Ezra Vine has one song available online, but it's an absolute killer of poppy folk. Bright and bursting with energy, avoiding the pitfalls of corniness, and built around an absolutely enormous chorus, Vine's "Celeste" has drawn him plenty of praise in his native New Zealand, and he's seemingly poised to cross waters in 2014 as more of the world catches on.

From: England

Genre: Indie Pop

Potential: Critical Darling

Why: With the power of an enigmatic rollout that focused energy on his stellar, understated songcraft, newcomer Fyfe consistently but sparingly held our attention throughout 2013. His cutting, delicate voice buoys a collection of songs that seamlessly blend eclectic genre influences (hip-hop, chamber pop, rock, and all manner of electronic influences rear their heads), making him a talent worth tracking as he expands upon a sound and aesthetic that bears few easy comparisons.

From: England

Genre: Pop

Potential: Chart Topper

Why: With monster hooks, a clear understanding of pop structure, and an infectious love of dance music, England's Mausi seems to possess an Icona Pop-like potential for making club and radio-ready music that doesn't suck (at least the first thousand times you hear it...). Hitting in January with catchy single "Move," the quartet's moment in the sun has yet to come, but their music sounds poised for pole position on the charts.

From: Sweden

Genre: Soulful Pop

Potential: Chart Topper

Why: A soaring, soulful voice and evocative writing have made Erik Hassle a recent favorite on the internet, with new single "Talk About It" serving as the 25-year-old singer's raw, emotive reemergence after a two year hiatus from the music industry and the world outside of Sweden. His time away paid off, as his stellar return positions him as a strong candidate in the sea of alternative male pop vocalists vying for Top 40 honors.

20 SCANDINAVIAN POP ARTISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

From: England

Genre: R&B, Pop

Potential: Indie Star

Why: Though Sampha has been recording with some of music's elite, emergent talents for a few years now (having cut records with SBTRKT, Lil Silva, and Jessie Ware), 2013 proved a banner year for the soulful London singer. His appearance on Drake's "Too Much" was a poignant, minor star turn that shed light on his stellar Dual EP while setting the stage for his excellent AA-side single "Happens" and an arresting, Drake-less acoustic rendition of "Too Much."

From: England

Genre: Experimental R&B

Potential: Critical Darling

Why: "Break" might not be the right word for FKA Twigs, whose sensuous, experimental Arca-produced music defies genre classification and wields the singer's sexuality as both weapon and battleground–no easy mixture for mainstream success. Songs like "Water Me" and "Papi Pacify," however, won her well-deserved acclaim from tastemakers, setting her up as a favorite with early adopters and one of the more fascinating talents to watch over the next few years.

ARTISTS WHO MADE R&B INTERESTING IN 2013

From: England

Genre: Soulful pop, R&B

Potential:Radio Ready

Why: As groups like Disclosure and Rudimental make their mark on the U.S., some of their vocalists seem poised to rise in their growing wakes. Frequent Rudimental collaborator MNEK has enviable vocal range and the sort of voice that could easily jump across dancefloor favorites, hip-hop hits, and R&B of all stripes. Though he doesn't have much in the way of original solo material, his (self-produced) "refixes" have made him a fan favorite on Soundcloud.

From: England

Genre: Pop

Potential: Radio Ready

Why: From the opening strains of "Lay Me Down," it is evident that Sam Smith's voice is an instrument of little parallel in the current landscape. Having played a key roll in brotherly duo Disclosure's breakthrough song, "Latch," and amassed a collection of soaring ballads and his own dance-tinged concoctions, Smith has shown a versatility waiting to be honed into one true hit. A major label deal (through Capitol Records) and a BRIT Critics Choice Award have Smith in prime position for a full-on breakthrough in 2014.

Here's a Soundcloud playlist of all the artists featured. Listen, enjoy, share.