Ahead of the curve

Ahead of the curve

A group of fresh-faced acts are ready to reign in the new year with their exciting soulful sounds

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Ahead of the curve

With last year proving to be a golden year in music, 2014 promises to be just as bright. There's already an exciting crop of new acts from uncliched folk rock and revived trip-hop to forward-thinking R&B and pensive shoe-gaze _ all poised to make a big splash in the coming months.

With the new year finally here, we round up some of the best new artists already showing huge promise with infectious and deeply original tracks.

PART TIME MUSICIANS

Contrary to its name, Rats Records' folk outfit Part Time Musicians had a pretty busy 2013, having released a string of top-notch singles. They opened for American folk artist Adam Green and headlined both boutique and big-scale events including Have You Heard Mini Festival and Big Mountain Music Festival. Made up of six home-grown talents, the sextet make a welcome addition to the otherwise unvaried Thai music scene, filling in the much-underrepresented genre that is psychedelic folk. Oh, and did we mention they sing entirely in flawless English?

Essential tracks: Vacation Time, Would You Mind? and Haunted House.

KELELA

In the ever-evolving, highly populated R&B landscape, LA-based up-and-comer Kelela Mizanekristos effortlessly stands out from the pack with a wholesome combination of her sensual voice and uber-edgy productions, courtesy of avant-garde DJ collective Fade to Mind and Night Slugs. As a result, her mixtape, Cut 4 Me, perfectly marries '90s R&B with progressive influences, and won the heart of people such as Beyonce and her sister Solange (who also includes one of Kelela's tracks on her label's first compilation album). We're pretty sure that Kelela's cutting-edge brand of R&B will definitely help define the sound of this year.

Essential tracks: Up All Night, Enemy and Guns & Synths.

VANCE JOY

Performing under the name Vance Joy, Melbournian troubadour James Keogh is currently making waves outside of his motherland with his wide-eyed indie-folk sound that rests on his earnest voice and knack for wistful songwriting. His debut EP, God Loves You When You're Dancing, is a collection of well-crafted tunes with melodies that have a way of creeping up inside our brains and refuse to leave. Unlike most of his folk-pop contemporaries, the 25-year-old singer-songwriter manages to keep things light and unaffected _ exactly the way folk should be.

Essential tracks: Rip Tide and From Afar.

CHANCE THE RAPPER

At only 20 years old, Chicago-born Chancellor Bennett, known by his stage name Chance the Rapper, is already set to become one the most promising names in hip hop. Chance made his musical debut with his 2012 mixtape, 10 Day, a result of a 10-day suspension from high school, but it was the Jamiroquai-influenced follow-up Acid Rap that officially put his name on the map. The young MC got to spend a good chunk of last year collaborating with an eclectic range of artists from James Blake to Justin Bieber, as well as touring with rap heavyweights including Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, thanks to his youthful flair for blending hip hop with soul and funk. Judging from what he's accomplished so far, it looks like it will only be up from here.

Essential tracks: Good Ass Intro (So Good), Juice and Favorite Song (featuring Childish Gambino).

DESKTOP ERROR

These guys might not fit under the label "fresh-faced new acts", but they're one of those rare few who are constantly pushing musical boundaries. Formed in 2006, Desktop Error have always been a staple of the local live music scene, and have become a go-to band for a gritty, shoe-gazy sound. After releasing a mini album in 2006 followed by an LP in 2009, they are back with a second studio album, Keep Looking at the Window. Its nostalgic first single, Kwan Jang La, is indeed a testament to their longevity in the business. Catch them live on Jan 22, where they'll be opening for alt-rockers Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

Essential tracks: Tuk Tuk Wan, Just a Little and Kwan Jang La.

VALERIE JUNE

If you're a fan of the Black Keys or anything delightfully twangy, then you'll have no trouble embracing the sound of Valerie June. The singer-songwriter's debut album, Pushin' Against a Stone, offers a palatable melange of styles ranging from folk, blues and gospel to soul, country and bluegrass. Organic and unpolished, June's voice lends itself remarkably well to the fusion of rootsy influences at play. It's one of those voices you either love or hate. Be that as it may, this year is shaping up to be a big one for her.

Essential tracks: Workin' Woman Blues, Pushin' Against a Stone, Rain Dance and Somebody to Love.

GEORGE EZRA

Folk rock may have been heavily commercialised over the past few years, but it's young artists such as George Ezra who keep it on the level with surprising authenticity. Previously featured on the BBC Introducing series, the Bristol native deserves every bit of introduction given his incredible musicianship and voice that gloriously betrays his tender age. Want further proof? YouTube his spellbinding set at Glastonbury 2013 right now.

Essential tracks: Break Away, Did You Hear the Rain and Budapest.

FKA TWIGS

Of all the new artists who emerged last year, the UK's FKA Twigs is hands down the most enigmatic both in her appearance and sound. Born Tahliah Barnett, Twigs previously dabbled in dance and acting, but later found her true calling as a solo artist with two mesmerising EPs that capitalise on her ability to make everything sound both ominous and ethereal. Case in point is her breakout single, Water Me, where the multi-talented singer drifts in and out of the negative space with a delicate coo. Understated, yet emotionally intense, the track is filled to the brim with a sense of eeriness and ghostly anticipation. Expect more great things from this girl.

Essential tracks: Water Me, Papi Pacify and How's That.

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