LAST YEAR, WE told you about how the likes of James Bay, Shamir, Wolf Alice and SOAK were going to be massive in 2015.
But who is slated to make it in 2016?
Well…
1. Troye Sivan
You may have heard of Troye Sivan — the singer-songwriter is somewhat of a YouTube phenomenon, clocking up nearly 222 million views on his channel. Since then, he has been endorsed by Taylor Swift and picked up a rabid following on YouTube.
He made his television debut in December, and 2016 looks to be the year he breaks out into the mainstream.
Listen to his banger Youth here and brace yourself for it being featured in every single television programme/sensitive teen movie trailer this year.
2. Alessia Cara
Alessia Cara is still only nineteen years old, but she’s cooler and more sophisticated than you or I will ever be. The Canadian songstress made waves with her sultry R&B jam Here earlier this year and her debut album charted inside the top 10 on the Billboard 200 in November.
Expect to hear much more from this young lady in 2016.
3. Hinds
This Spanish garage quartet release their debut album in January and it promises to be gloriously lo-fi. We bet our house you’ll see on several festival line-ups next summer.
Get acquainted with their sound here.
4. Billie Marten
Billie Marten is still a wee child, but she makes music that’s far wiser than her years. She has been longlisted for the BBC Sound of 2016 award and championed by the likes of Lauren Laverne. Think of her as a baby Laura Marling.
Listen to her single Bird and prepare to be utterly enchanted.
5. Majid Jordan
You already know Majid Jordan from their work on the Drake banger Hold On, We’re Going Home. Now Drake’s buddies are stepping out on their own and are preparing to take over the world with their brand of pared back, minimalist R&B.
Their album drops in February and will likely be the talk of all the cool kids on the internet.
Listen to My Love here.
6. LÉON
Does Sweden have a pop star factory or how does it keep churning out these gals? Now, following in the footsteps of Robyn, Tove Lo and Lykke Li, comes LÉON.
She is being tipped by Spotify as one of the artists to watch out for in 2016 and we can see why — her debut EP racked up in excess of 7 million plays in just one week.
We challenge you not to tap your foot to Tired of Talking.
7. Jack Garratt
Between nabbing the Critics’ Choice award at the BRIT Award and supporting Mumford & Sons on tour, it’s been a good year for Jack Garratt.
But with an album on the way and titles like “next big thing” being bandied about, it seems safe to say that 2016 could well end up being his best yet.
The singer and multi-instrumentalist flits between genres and the result is a preposterously catchy electronica/blues/R&B hybrid.
Find out what all the fuss is about here.
8. Frances
In 2015, she toured North America with James Bay and signed to Capitol Records. So what’s in store for up-and-comer Frances in 2016?
An album is in the works and we predict we’ll be hearing loads of her piano-led pop songs on the radio this year.
Listen to her Let It Out EP before she conquers the world.
9. Rat Boy
If you have a soft spot for The Libertines or The Streets, then you’ll probably love Rat Boy. The 19-year-old from Essex — who, legend has it, once got sacked from a job in Wetherspoon’s — is being tipped for greatness in 2016 with his brand of hip-hop/rock.
Listen to Sign On here.
10. WET
WET have been music blog favourites for a while now, but 2016 looks to the year they make a splash. (WET? Splash? Do you get it?)
If you like emotional synthpop you can sing along to — think CHVRCHES, Jessie Ware, London Grammar – you’ll love WET.
Their debut album is released in January and you can listen to Weak here.
