Sixteen artists about to make waves in 2020.
1. MAISIE PETERS
Maisie Peters makes sparkly "emo girl pop" music. She started out writing lyrics in her bedroom, and this year the Brighton born singer found iTunes chart fame after featuring on the Love Island soundtrack. She released her second EP It's Your Bed Babe, It's Your Funeral in October, which includes writing credits from Oh Wonder.
Listen To: Worst of You
2. LARKINS
The four-piece indie pop group have already made a name for themselves in their hometown of Manchester after headlining the Albert Hall back in March. Their set on the BBC Music Introducing stage at Reading & Leeds Fest over the summer shows just how much Larkins have flourished over the last twelve months. Their September release Not Enough Love should land the group a place on everyone's list of names to listen out for next year.
Listen to: TV Dream
3. CELESTE
Celeste garnered mainstream attention with the release of Strange, an eerie piano-led ballad, in the second half of 2019. Her jazzy Billie Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald influenced sound is given a modern R&B-soulful twist on her 2019 release Lately - EP. Celeste's voice is timeless and critics have compared her to the late Amy Winehouse.
Listen to: Lately
4. LILY MOORE
Lily Moore's stripped back, neo-soul tunes earned her supporting slots on tours with James Bay, Vance Joy and George Ezra. Moore's honest lyrics of love, loss and everything in between mixed with her smoky vocals proves that she is raw talent, already established in her sound at just 21 years old.
Listen to: Do This For Me
5. JC STEWART
Singer-songwriter JC Stewart is already shaping up to be a star. His affinity for songwriting is evident in his own music, as well as his other writing credits, including Hollywood from Lewis Capaldi's hugely popular debut album. Stewart's aching, lovelorn lyrics paired with his impressive voice leave listeners really connecting with his songs. He cites fellow Irish greats Hozier and Dermot Kennedy as some of his influences and is sure to be headed in their footsteps to success.
Listen to: Medicine
6. JORDAN MACKAMPA
Jordan Mackampa's lyricism is truly stunning. Accompanied by layered folk-like melodies, when Mackampa sings his poetic verses you feel his emotions deep within your soul. His critically acclaimed EP Physics, released three years ago, was a beautiful introduction to his artistry. Listening to Mackampa's music is comforting and warm, his voice like a blanket enveloping you with his words.
Listen to: What Could Have Been
7. PLESTED
Already an accomplished songwriter, Plested - real name Phil Plested - has worked with the likes of Kygo, Little Mix and Naughty Boy over the past few years. Plested knows how to write a song, there's no doubt about that, but it's in the music he's released himself that he truly shines.
Listen to: Habits
8. CHARLOTTE
Known mononymously by CHARLOTTE, the Hull born singer was the first artist to be signed to heavyweight hitmaker Toby Gad's publishing company. At just 21 years old, it's Charlotte's goosebump-raising voice that stands out above anything in her tracks. Rich, buttery and soulful, her voice reminds me of listening to Joss Stone.
Listen to: Nervous
9. THE BAND CAMINO
Memphis pop-rockers The Band CAMINO released their first EP My Thoughts on You back in 2016. They infuse catchy riffs and melodies with their alt-rock sound. With sold out shows across America this year, The Band CAMINO are about to embark on their first European leg in early 2020.
Listen to: See Through
10. BOY PABLO
Listening to boy pablo makes me feel like I'm living in a perpetual summer. Their sound is 'California cool': beachy and easy going. The group, fronted by Pablo Muñoz, write about their teenage angst and soundtrack their thoughts with lo-fi guitar riffs and sunny melodies.
Listen to: Dance, Baby!
11. LIV DAWSON
With relatable lyrics about the confusions of romance, Liv Dawson's music is cool-girl pop at it's finest. Catchy melodies and infectious beats led to Dawson's music being noticed by the likes of Nina Nesbitt and Bruno Major, to name a few. She's also had supporting slots on tour with Jessie Ware, Khalid and Honne. Her 2019 single, Pushing 21, is just a teaser of what's to come next year for Dawson.
Listen to: I Like You
12. JON VINYL
Jon Vinyl had his musical beginnings in the basement of his mother's Toronto home. With help from his brother Jamil - now his manager - Vinyl began writing songs aged fifteen. Five years later, he released his first single, Nostalgia, and was propelled into a momentum of streaming success. Filled with silky smooth vocals, Vinyl's discography makes for a luxurious listen.
Listen to: Addicted
13. ARI LENNOX
The First Lady of Dreamville's debut album Shea Butter Baby, released back in May, is soulful and smooth. Ari Lennox is effortless in delivering her sultry neo-soul sound. She makes music for women in their twenties who drink wine in their apartment on a Tuesday evening and know that men ain't shit.
Listen to: New Apartment
14. MELANIE BAKER
If Gabrielle Aplin and Regina Spektor made a musical love child, it would be Melanie Baker. Making airy acoustic sounds, the singer-songwriter is in the midst of writing her next EP. Earlier this year she debuted her impressive music video for False Fantasies which included shots of her playing a piano at the top of a mountain - dedication at its finest.
Listen to: Broken
15. STIIR
STIIR's tracks are rich with a funky Jamiroquai-esque groove. The three-piece alternative pop band from London have been featured on BBC Introducing and have ammassed over 13,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. The band's latest offering, Heartstrings, is a catchy, chilled out tune to see us through to the end of the year.
Listen to: Pressure
16. SLOWTHAI
Nothing Great About Britain, slowthai's debut, is a magnifying look-in to the realities of his upbringing on a council estate in Northampton. Over the summer, slowthai performed slots at major UK festivals, including Glastonbury and Parklife. Nominated for the Mecury Prize, Nothing Great About Britian is gritty and real. After a successful 2019, the next twelve months are sure to bring us something even more impressive from the rapper.
Listen to: Ladies