Music Recommendations Based on the Artists You Already Like (August 2014)

Tobias Jesso Jr. isn't that well known yet, and maybe he will just continue releasing gorgeous demos and never blow up, but if you read P&P regularly, hopefully you will be familiar with the incredibly talented songwriter who makes songs so intimate and personal that listening to them almost feels like intruding on a private moment. Johnny Lloyd is the former frontman of successful indie band Tribes, but after they disbanded he's returned as a nostalgic singer/songwriter, with one EP out (listen here) and another on the way.

Basically, if you like timeless songwriting in a lo-fi package, listen to both of these guys.

Musically, Porter Ray doesn't have much in common with Evidence. The Sub Pop signee mostly favors jazzy production with a hint of an experimental side, and he's a more nimble rapper. But every now and then, his voice sounds like Evidence. So if you like Evidence's voice, check out Porter Ray.

Deers started as a duo in Madrid. Two friends decided to make music together for fun, and it turned out to be pretty good music. They're unconcerned with perfection—in fact, it's the slightly disheveled sound that gives this music such a special energy. More on Deers here.

Grace Mitchell is only 16 years old, but you wouldn't know it from listening to the Portland singer/producer's music. She makes pop, but it's mature and relatable, and like Broods, it's got just the right balance of an interesting approach and an accessible approach. Read our short interview with Grace here.

"Why Can't I Be You" is Swedish duo R.A.B.B.I.I.'s debut song, and, as with so many Scandinavian artists, it mixes pop appeal with darker undertones. With an opening that could come straight from an FKA twigs song, the synths and drums quickly come in, and the mix of multi-layered, bright production and high-pitched vocals should please Grimes fans who weren't impressed by "Go."

A promising introduction, and we can't wait to see where R.A.B.B.I.I. go next.

Ibeyi are French-Cuban twin sisters Naomi and Lisa-Kainde Diaz, and they make wonderfully powerful, natural music that is at once current and reverberating with the energy of past generations. That makes sense when you learn about the twins' Yoruba heritage, and the influence of their father, late percussion legend Anga Diaz. The mystical mix of percussion and soaring vocals, not to mention the visuals, especially those for "Oya," position these girls as innovators who could still make a strong impression on mainstream conscious.

Read our interview with Ibeyi here.

“Maybe we should just call it urban contemporary,” Jules Born said in an interview with Vice. “I don’t even know what urban means. Black music that’s not R&B and not hip-hop, I guess. Should I just own that?”

Well, whatever you call it, it's awesome and a blend of styles and sounds that is really hard to classify in any way. Gordon Voidwell is another new artist who blends a futuristic vision with a retro DIY vibe, so if you like him, check this out.

Jack + Eliza are still in college, but based on what we've heard from them so far, they're already accomplished songwriters. If you were a fan of the melodically driven songs of early albums from The Shins, you'll like these two. Their EP is coming in September, and it's being produced by Chris Zane, who has previously worked with The Walkmen, Mumford & Sons, and Passion Pit. Read more about Jack + Eliza here.

On last week's 5 On It, Jon Tanners described his experience with Flash Giordani's "Wedding Day" like this: "[It] almost made my brain burst with its combination of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony-worthy melodic rapping and Yung Lean-level emotions." If that sounds like your thing, check it out.

If you liked the Branchez remix of Rihanna's "Stay," you'll love this et aliae song "never let u down." It flips Rita Ora into something for the SoundCloud generation, with a little trap flavor and a lot of feeling. Read more about et aliae here.

“It’s a kind of saturated pop with hip-hop beats laid over,” is how London-based producer Poter Elvinger described his sound to us, before explaining:

I was incarcerated in a juvenile prison for months when I was 16, and there’s nothing to do in that kind of place. One of my friends offered me an MP3 player loaded with only 15 tracks, but I listened only one; “BTSTU” by Jai Paul. I listened to it on repeat everyday. That track literally blew my life up. The only thing I wanted to do was go out and try to make music.

Elvinger has an interesting backstory, and a multi-layered, all-engulfing sound that will carry him far. He's already starting to get wider recognition, having made three songs for a luxury brand's campaign and remixed Illangelo and Phlo Finisiter's "Clockwork," so get to know him now, before everyone else catches on.

Marz Leon had the visual aesthetic down from the beginning, but with the release of her debut Loner EP, it became clear that she has the music to back her striking image up. Just like BANKS, Marz' music has a dark and moody vibe, with electronic production backing her hushed verses and catchy hooks. Listen to the whole Loner EP below.