1. Shamir
This 19-year-old Las Vegas native just signed to XL Recordings and made the BBC Sound of 2015 shortlist. Think of him as a junior Prince, making infectious dance tracks that won’t leave your head for days.
2. James Bay
The British singer-songwriter supported Hozier on his tour and could very well emerge as “next year’s Hozier”, if you will. Taylor Swift also recently followed him on Twitter, so you know.
3. Ryn Weaver
Charli XCX has already gone on the record to say she thinks Weaver will be “the biggest artist of next year” and that’s quite a ringing endorsement. Weaver’s single Octahate was an internet sensation earlier this year and you can expect her to replicate that success in 2015.
4. Wyvern Lingo
The Wicklow trio are fresh from supporting Hozier and recently enjoyed a sold-out EP launch in Dublin. They will tour Ireland in spring, during which time you can expect their gorgeous harmonies to win them a legion of new devotees.
5. Wolf Alice
Purveyors of absurdly catchy grunge-pop, Wolf Alice made great strides in 2014, but you can expect them to reach new heights next year. You may even catch yourself screaming along to one of their tunes at the summer festivals.
6. Joey Bada$$
Joey Bada$$ has been threatening to be the next big thing for a while now and he has certainly been prolific with his output, which is distinctly old-school and displays a precocious talent beyond his 19 years.
His debut studio album B4.Da.$$ arrives in January. Will he be 2015′s answer to Kendrick Lamar? Wait and see.
7. Tove Lo
The Swedish songstress already made a splash this year with her pop single Habits (Stay High), which charted at no.3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her album arrives to our shores early next year, so expect her to conquer our shores then.
8. SOAK
That voice, those songs. Derry’s Bridie Monds-Watson, otherwise known as SOAK, is the real deal. She has been doing the rounds for some time now, but her inclusion on BBC’s Sound of 2015 shortlist should ensure her star rises even further this year.
9. Seinabo Sey
With her thoroughly unique voice and epic pop songs, it’s a wonder that Seinabo Sey hasn’t already crossed over into the mainstream yet. Expect her to do just that next year. In the meantime, settle in with Younger (above) or Pistols At Dawn.
10. Echosmith
Their laidback pop jam Cool Kids is already primed to be the new Pumped Up Kicks. With their debut album being launched in Ireland in December, expect to hear more about this Los Angeles quartet going forward.
11. Tink
There have been a lot of female rappers on the cusp of making it big – Azealia Banks and Angel Haze, to name but a few. Tink looks as though she may be the real deal, though.
Having released one of the best mixtapes of 2014 and becoming a critical darling, she is now collaborating with superstar producer Timbaland and we can hopefully expect more gold from this preternaturally talented rapper.
(Listen to her collaboration with Sleigh Bells here.)
