KBPS Sound of 2019

On Monday 10th December the BBC will announce the 2019 edition of their long-running 'Sound Of...' poll, which speaks to pundits across various fields in music to find out who they think will make it big in that year, based on artists that have not had top ten singles or albums in the last year or are well known in music.

Previous years have had a good strike rate with Sigrid, Years and Years, Sam Smith, Jessie J, Ellie Goulding, Adele, Mika and Keane being winners in the past.

Here at KBPS we like to take a stab at who we think will do well next year, and though we're not on the BBC's taste makers list and our opinions are based only on our tastes and what we've heard so far, let's have a go at our own 15-strong long list, with acts in alphabetical order...

Cam

Camaron Marvel Ochs, or Cam as she's known, is an American country singer who got lots of airplay with 'Diane', rumoured to be a response to the classic Dolly Parton song 'Jolene'. Recently appearing alongside Train and Travie McCoy on their song 'Call Me Sir' will 2019 be the year country makes a further push into the modern mainstream?

Alice Chater 

With several singles under her belt already, it's the 'Ring My Bell' interpolation of July's 'Heartbreak Hotel' that has got us buzzing. Her pop and RNB crossover sound is popular at the moment.

Coin

Formed in Nashville in 2012, they came to our attention recently with the 'A Christmas Carol' themed 'Cemetery', a catchy slice of indie-pop that sounds very much in the British taste. Will they enjoy success this side of the Atlantic in 2019?

Fjokra

Hailing from Dublin, Fjokra has released a succession of great singles over the last 12 months including 'Bang on the Door' and 'Evening Lights', plus recently 'Sugarface'. The eccentric, excitingly produced songs cross genres and really jump out as something different and interesting.

Franko Fraize

A British rapper from Thetford, Norfolk, he's been bubbling under for a few years on BBC playlists and television shows, but with songs like 'Stop Me', released a month ago with Alex Joseph capturing our imagination, this could be his breakthrough thanks to has fast-paced style like a modern the Streets.

Girli 

English singer and rapper Milly Toomey, AKA Girl, has had several songs released this year and 'Mr 10pm Bedtime' is our favourite. A punky attitude mixed with a catchy poppiness helps her stand out musically, and an image that explodes visually.  

I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME

1.9m views of their latest single speaks volumes. This quirky duo hails from Salt Lake City and their eccentrically produced, yet very catchy, pop song echoes 'Panic! At the Disco' crossed with 'Franz Ferdinand'.

Hannah Jane Lewis 

Based in London, her feisty relatable pop songs burst out of your speakers, especially the bouncy, tempo-shifting well-produced 'Aftershock'.

Kimono Loco

One of our lesser known pics, their recent single 'Big Boy' and the EP from which it was taken immediately grabbed us and we definitely want to hear more from this unsigned London band in 2019.

Little Brother Eli

Some songs immediately grab you when you hear them and Little Brother Eli's 'Oops' is one of them. Unsigned and from Oxford we look forward to more from this dark dance four-piece.

lovelytheband

With 14m views on their latest video this Los Angeles pop band formed in 2016 look set for big things with 'Broken' feeling like an anthem for Millennials, picking the darker personality songs of bands like 'Pale Waves'.

The Marmozets

A local band to me from Bingley, West Yorkshire, I've seen them live and their on stage power is every bit as great as their recorded material. Sounding like early Paramore there's plenty of energy in their music. With their second album out now and recent festivals under their belt, what will 2019 bring for them?

Matt Simons

The infectious 'We Can Do Better' has 20m views on YouTube and so it should. Catchy and upbeat, it's a great slice of pop, and Simons has a voice that should prove even bigger in 2019.

The Struts

A band from Derby that had much success over the last few years looks to bringing its sparky glam rock sound to a bigger audience, as showcased by their recent incredible collaboration with Ke$ha. More please!

Kerri Watt

An artist we've be following for several years since her tour of Universities early on in her career, she's recently added to her strong back catalogue with a heartfelt duet with Embrace which she also released an even more powerful solo version of. If there's one artist on this list we'd hope for big things from it's the incredible Kerri Watt.


What do you think of our selection? Have your own choices? Comment below!