KBPS Sound of 2017

Each year the BBC do their 'Sound of' poll where they ask numerous music bloggers, journalists and more who they think will be the upcoming stars of 2017, and you can find their 2017 longlist online.

Each year we also do a similar thing and reveal our top fifteen tips for the top. We really shoot blindly with this list as we are just one magazine with our own thoughts but even if these artists don't chart next year at least you will have discovered fifteen new brilliant acts to enjoy.

Betsy
https://www.facebook.com/betsymusic/

This Welsh artist has a very distinctive voice, a bit like a more operatic Cher. Her single 'Wanted More' got played on BBC Radio 2 so expect to hear more from her in 2017.

Everywhere
https://www.facebook.com/everywheretheband/

With new single 'Heroine' on promotion now, it was their breakthrough song 'Some Other Dude' that first grabbed our attention in 2016. Poppy, catchy and very radio friendly, both songs have been great and this band from London deserve bigger exposure in 2017.

Florrie
https://www.facebook.com/florrie.music/

Florrie last released a single about nine months ago ("Real Love", above) which was played on mainstream radio following a couple of years releasing EPs of very high quality. She's disappeared a little from social media recently but there are few others on this list that deserve big success based on her ability to write a great pop tune.

Glass Animals
https://www.facebook.com/glassanimals/

Based in Oxford, Glass Animals released the incredible 'Life Itself' back in June as well as a follow-up single and album. You'll be hard pressed to find a catchier indie-pop song from 2016 with such a bouncy chorus.

Hannah Trigwell
https://www.facebook.com/hannahtrigwellmusic/

Regularly broadcasting live performances to her increasing number of social media follows, Yorkshire-based Hannah Trigwell has a great clutch of her own songs and a voice that can tackle lots of covers. Throw in a very strong promotional strategy from the singer and 2017 should be huge for her.

Janet Devlin
https://www.facebook.com/thejanetdevlin

Ranking highly back in 2011's X-Factor competition since then young singer-songwriter Janet Devlin has built up a fanbase through her distinctive covers of songs from all ages. Recently she released her original tune 'Outernet Song' which is one of the catchiest pop songs of the year, plus a beautiful EP of original Christmas songs and chosen covers. A unique voice and a keen ear for her fans, Janet Devlin deserves a big 2017.

Jazz Mino
https://www.facebook.com/JazzMinoUK

A dedicated performer live both in traditional venues and on the busking circuit 2016 saw Jazz Mino release a succession of great singles such as 'Superwoman', 'Suffocate' and 'Hurt' and if the quality of these records continues into an album we're sure the bright-haired singer from London will score highly.

Kerri Watt
https://www.facebook.com/KerriWattMusic

Recently touring to much acclaim, Kerri Watt has had success with her songs on national radio and it's difficult not to be impressed by her continuously quality singles. A great voice, strong songs and a fun live act, we'd love to hear more releases from Watt in 2017.

Lady Lykez
https://www.facebook.com/LadyLykezArtist/

It's impossible to ignore the rise of urban and grime music and one of my favourites is the slightly more tongue-in-cheek Lady Lykez, who is great musically whilst also doing something more interesting than falling back on the tired tropes wheeled out from some other artists in the field.

MIAMIGO
https://www.facebook.com/miamigomusic/

Catchy dance tracks are the order of the day from MIAMIGO as showcased on the track above. A great duo, we look forward to more from them.

Ms. Henrik
https://www.facebook.com/MsHenrik/

Hailing from Sweden we had the pleasure of listening to their full album and it's choc-full of radio-friendly pop tracks. Quirky, poppy, electronic, the music is great and should burst through in 2017.

Rat Boy
https://www.facebook.com/RatBoyRatBoy/

Rat Boy may not have quite hit the heights of breakthrough Beastie Boys-esque single 'Move' but an energetic Glastonbury performance and several singles throughout 2016 suggest big things are just around the corner.

The Strumbellas
https://www.facebook.com/thestrumbellas/

Based in Toronto, breakthrough single 'Spirits' is one of the catchiest songs of 2016 so far, taken from an album. Hopefully 2017 will be big for them on this side of the pond.

Throttle
https://www.facebook.com/throttleofficial/

Young producer Throttle teemed up with Lunchmoney Lewis and Aston Merryhold on this cheeky, funky, seventies throwback. If there's more where this came from then send it our way!


Tiggs Da Author
https://www.facebook.com/tiggsdaauthor/

Another urban act coming from London, there's a definite cross over appeal from this artist who teamed up with rising star Lady Leshurr on 'Run'.



What do you think of our choices? Post your thoughts below in the comments!

New Music Review #015

Ten more great tracks we'd recommend!

AronChupa feat. J & The People - Bad Water 

For a change AronChupa bring something inspired, with this gospel-tinged country-sounding ode to beer. A great, bouncy number with a unique sound. (7.5/10)

Calum Scott - Rhythm Inside

This stripped back, string-led ballad is well written and toe-tapping with its beat. (7/10)

Craig David - Change My Love

Craig David's come back continues with this good, funky little number with a strong chorus. (6.5/10)

Daya - Words

Though not as good as the main a-side this is still a strong slice of pop-rnb with the loveable voice of Daya and the strong production values taking centre stage. (6.5/10)

Gabrielle Aplin - Miss You

Though not her best work this is a welcome return from Gabrielle Aplin who can often be relied on for a fun pop song. (6.5/10)

Jack Killen - Genevieve

From its perky pop credentials to its saxophone breakdown, this is a great catchy little tune that would do well on the radio (7.5/10)

Jack Savoretti - I'm Yours

'I'm Yours' is another great touching, well written ballad from Savoretti. (7.5/10)

RAY BLK feat. SG Lewis - Chill Out

Recently hailed as one of the stars for 2017, this mid-tempo number showcases her good voice, the hooky bridge and ethereal production. (6/10)

Sløtface - Bright Lights

'Bright Lights' is a punky indie number with plenty of attitude in its simple structure. (6/10)

Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Wild Forever

It doesn't really do much different to her established formula but it's hard to go wrong with this fun pop number with a hooky chorus. (7/10)

New Music Review #014

Ten more great songs worth listening to today!

Alicia Keys feat. A$AP Rocky - Blended Family (What You Do For Love)

Alicia Keys can often be relied on to bring something out that's a great listen with a message behind it, and her latest is no exception. (6.5/10)

Bring Me The Horizon - Oh No

With a catchy hook built around the phrase 'Be Careful What You Wish For', this is a strong slice of indie-rock that feels like one of their best in a while! (6.5/10)

Clean Cut Kid - Make Believe 

'Make Believe' is a perky, pop number with plenty of heart and a catchy, radio-friendly feel. (6.5/10)

Daya - Sit Still, Look Pretty

Referencing Aqua's breakthrough hit 'Barbie Girl' this is also a slice of fun pop with a catchy choral hook. Well worth checking out! (7/10)

Galantis & Hook N Sling - Love On Me

Musically this isn't breaking new ground but it's uptempo beat and positive vibe is a great listen! (6.5/10)


Gregory Porter - In Fashion

Gregory Porter brings another funky number that wins you over with its rhythm. He might be still sticking to a formula, but at least it works. (6.5/10)

Hardwell feat. Jay Sean - Thinking About You 

It's pretty familiar musically but there's enough fun and funk in it to keep fans of the genre happy. (6.5/10)

Rebecca Ferguson - Superwoman

Rebecca Ferguson has an incredible listenable powerful voice which lends itself to this song. It's not her best material but it's great to hear her again. (6.5/10)


Throttle feat Lunchmoney Lewis & Aston Merrygold - Money Maker

Definitely the weirdest and whackiest number in this list, the video might be NSFW but the funky merging of three great talents with a Michael Jackson and seventies vibe is inspired. (7.5/10)

Wilkinson feat. Karen Harding - Sweet Lies

It takes ages to get going but at least when it does it brings some energy. Shame it's a little cliched in its sound. (6/10)

New Music Review #013

It's time for another ten great tracks that you need to download!

Adele - Water Under the Bridge

Adele is always a good bet when it comes to a catchy pop single, and 'Water Under the Bridge' is no exception with its heart-felt lyrics, bassy riff and stadium-friendly sing-a-long chorus. It might stick with her familiar formula but it's a good 'un. (7.5/10)

Alonestar - Lovelorn

Split between Faithless-esque verses and a powerful vocal chorus, this is a grittily produced RnB-lite number that has enough good ideas to hold together as a funky piece. (6/10)

The Collapsible Hearts Band feat. Jim Bianco & Petra Haden - Easy Street

Short yet sweet, this pop ditty has echoes of something from the Barnum musical but it's difficult not to smile when you hear this! (7/10)

Feel Freeze - Give Me Your Heart

'Give Me Your Heart' is a quirky little electro-pop number with a simply produced but engaging little indie number. It's pretty understated but is a pleasing little listen with a gentle instrumental vibe. (6.5/10)



Greg Kozo - One Day (Fonkynson Remix)

This remix of 'One Day' doesn't really do anything remarkable with the song but the synth backing, soft vocals and production make for an interesting listen for fans of the genre. (6/10)

The Hallows - Cardboard Love

'Cardboard Love' not only boasts a great video the song builds up to a strong chorus, the indieness of the lyrics and the catchy piano riff working together into a song that's poppy enough to be memorable whilst retaining much needed credibility. (7/10)

Imelda May - Call Me

'Call Me' is a gentle number from Imelda May that showcases her delightful voice. It's not her best work and lacks any real big moments but as a relaxing song it feels perfect for this time of year. (6/10)

Melisa Whiskey - Played

Whiskey has a powerful voice and it's on display in this soulful number that is perhaps a little over-produced with the music too loud compared to the vocals, but there's still enough space to enjoy her Rebecca Ferguson-like sound. (6.5/10)

S.O.S. - Bittersweet

With a backing that sounds a little like it's taken from an old 16-bit video game, it takes a bit to get to the chorus but it's a good one when it gets there. The backing is perhaps a little too different to the vibe of the vocals but it's a strong electro-indie number that grows with each listen. (7/10)

XL feat. Elesia Limura - Down Low

We go a bit dancehall with this latest track from 'XL'. It might not break through any of the conventions of the genre but it delivers a much-needed bit of club dance to the cold winter months, with a hooky RnB-influenced chorus. (6.5/10)

Review - We Are Z - Animal

We had the pleasure of interviewing We Are Z recently ahead of their release of single 'Goldigaz' and also got to see them performing live last week supporting Detroit rockers Electric Six, the set from the French band an eclectic mix of hooks, open shirts and Cecil the Lion masks. At the gig we also managed to grab a copy of their debut album.

'Animal' is an eccentric album but it's packed with variety and hooks a plenty and it's certainly an album you won't get bored with. Short instrumental opener 'The Jungle Beasts Are Fast Asleep' with a strong choral, wintery feel bleeds into first track proper 'Walkaway', a Kaiser Chiefs-esque pop number with a strong beat and foot-tapping rhythm. Though the chorus may be pretty simple there's something quickly catchy about the track thanks to its bass riff and driving forward style, with a throwback 80s vibe. The third track - 'Metropolis' - is a ballsy, pop-rock number with a fun falsetto vibe to the chorus and a catchy vibe to the lyrical bridge, like Freddie Mercury meets Franz Ferdinand.

'Knucklehead' is a less distinctive track compared to the others but still has fun rock vibe, whilst the rhyming titled 'The Girl With the Scar in the Land of the Tsar' is a short, stripped-back number which feels more like a poem set to music.

'Easy' has a great rhythm to it and a funky, well produced rhythm with some top synth action, making more quite an ethereal experience.

'Fadeaway', bringing the album up to its half-way point, is the next big number on the record and feels like a future single. With a hooky guitar riff, quickly building vocal pattern and a big chorus that mixes the Police with Franz Ferdinand, this is a big favourite of mine.

As if to prove most conventions wrong where albums tend to start off great and front load their tracks, 'Animal' appears to be the opposite. 'Falling' is one of the best on the album, with a simple but memorable chorus and a funky vibe and faster-sections that create a really radio-friendly number. 

'Glorious Moon', a piano-led interlude, like track five, feels like a little break but is well done, whilst the title track is the first of four big hitters. 'A.N.I.M.A.L.' with its bass-heavy opening, Red Hot Chilli Peppers-like lyrical delivery and catchy vocal hook, is superb and is surely a future single. Lead single 'Goldigaz' is the best track on the album, it's opening 'La-la-la' riff immediately grabbing you. Throw in a catchy bridge and chorus and it's pop-rock vibe proves to be a winner. 'Airbrush' continues the powerful showing at the end the record, its Queen-like rhythm and breakdowns adding to the moment.

'I Like It', a favourite from their live show, completes the quartet of highlights on the album,the repetition of the title and the musical backing making for a great little pop-rock number. The album then concludes with short number 'Almost There' which ties things up in a quick, enigmatic way.

We Are Z's 'Animal' is one of the best albums I've heard this year with many standout tracks that feel like singles, with a range of interesting lyrical hooks, music choices and something different appearing every track. 'Animal' is definitely worth a listen. (7.5/10)

Review: Julia Jacklin - Don't Let the Kids Win

Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin releases her debut album 'Don't Let The Kids Win', a gentle and involving 11-track album that showcases her smooth, delightful vocals over a range of tracks that may all sound similar in feel but are the perfect soundtrack for a relaxing break.

Opener 'Pool Party' sets things off strongly, a mid-tempo indie number that ebbs and flows with rhythm. The retro sway of 'Leadlight' is joyfully relaxing, dreamy yet nicely produced whilst 'Coming Of Age' adds more indie-rock to the vibe whilst keeping with the simple, stripped-back feel. 'Elizabeth' and 'Motherland' don't really disturb the pattern of laid back simple production values and dreamy vocals. In fact, its a formula that keeps on flowing through 'Small Talk', 'LA Dream' and 'Sweet Step' with very little in each song to distinguish from the last.

Only 'Same Airport, Different Man' really offers something a bit fresher, with the hook of the title offering something more recognisable and emotional, though it doesn't really deviate much from the established style but does feel a little more varied compared to the preceding tracks.

'Hay Plain' slips back into the earlier style as the LP nears its end, whilst the title tracks concludes the album is a nice, but familiar way.

Julie Jacklin has a very listenable voice and her debut album is a gentle, pleasing listen, but it doesn't really break new ground and is too samey through most of the tracks to really grab your attention. 'Don't Let The Kids Win' is perfect, gentle background listening but it doesn't really do much more than that. (5/10)

Review: Paul Simon - Stranger to Stranger

Famed singer-songwriter and former one half of Simon and Garfunkel, Paul Simon delivers his thirteen studio album 'Stranger to Stranger', but those expecting the pop and radio-friendly stylings of songs like 'Call Me Al' or '50 Ways to Leave Your Lover' will find this 11-track album a rather eccentric and unusual listen packed with random sound effects, lyrics that feel a little improvised and music that's incredibly experimental. All these elements are in force on opener 'The Werewolf' which sounds like someone has bought Paul Simon a new synthesizer for Christmas and he's trying out all the different buttons and effects. It's actually a surprisingly fun opener even if devoid of any sort of pattern or hook.

Lead single 'Wristband' begins with chatter and moulds into a song about Simon's experience with security at a venue. It certainly has taken quite a few listens to this song for it to become something I've enjoyed, and that's mostly down to the quirky and multi-layered instrumentation and the presence of a fun little catchy chorus, though the freer verses are not quite my sort of thing, and the song fades away with little care.

The minute long 'The Clock' consists of nothing but a ticking clock over a very light piano riff (I kid you not) whilst 'Street Angels' is more spoken than sung and doesn't seem to do much with its two minutes. The title track comes in at number five and is a slower number, again with Paul Simon on more chatting form than necessarily delivering a song, with a bit of a Sting-vibe to proceedings. It struggles at the start to find its focus but as the saxophone riff takes over the enigmatic feeling of the piece proves to be a winner to become an atmospheric and experimental piece.

'In A Parade' switches back to the eccentricity with shades of 'Wristband' in its repetitive chorus, with a samba-backing of drums and whistles that fits the title, but again it fades away after two minutes with little impact other than the dedication to the layering of instruments. 'Proof of Love', the longest track on the album, is a nice and gentle more traditional song that showcases Simon's loveable voice, whilst whilst 'In The Garden of Edie' is a short and gentle instrumental that bridges thing nicely.

'The Riverbank' is a neat little song, as gentle and weaving as a river, with Simon's vocals and the layered music working well together. 'Cool Papa Bell' injects a bit of attitude with Simon's thoughts on a certain swear word on a more free-form REM-style lyric set sounding much more like his classic sound. 

The final track - 'Insomniac's Lullaby' - is a smooth, gentle conclusion to the record as the title would suggest.

'Stranger to Stranger' is an unusual beast. It's certainly an interesting record, rather experimental and well produced. It's perhaps a little too free for its own good and a little bit pretentious in parts such as on tracks like 'The Clock', and feels more like spoken word at times than songs, but you can't accuse Paul Simon on sitting on his laurels and making an easy album. Check out tracks like 'Wristband', 'Proof of Love' and 'The Riverbank', and if you enjoy those give the album a shot. (6.5/10)