After compiling a list of 50 favourite albums of 2012, it’s time to look ahead at a few newer names that may or may not ‘breakthrough’ in 2013. They’re all certainly worth watching out for and checking out over the next 12 months. Last year my list was a little longer, but it seemed a bit silly listing 35 acts (in 2010, I listed 50!) – So I’ve gone for a more stream-lined and concise 25!
I try not to tip or mention artists that are specifically destined for commercial success – it’s never a good idea to try and second guess people’s tastes. And who cares if an artist goes mainstream or not anyway? What I prefer to do is turn people onto interesting new music across a range of different genres and styles. Below you’ll see indie, rock, electronica, hardcore, experimentalism, pop, acoustic singer-songwriters, post-rock, hip-hop and more...
In alphabetical order:
1. Alarm Bells
2. Art of the Memory Palace
3. Austen George
4. Behold the Old Bear
5. Body Parts
6. Chvrches
7. Crusades
8. Fat Goth
9. Fatherson
10. Flutes
11. Forest Fires
12. Harvey Lanes
13. Holy Esque
14. Honeyblood
15. Machines in Heaven
16. Randolph’s Leap
17. Saint Max & The Fanatics
18. Seams
19. Siobhan Wilson
20. The Deadline Shakes
21. The Recovery
22. The Yawns
23. Vasa
24. William Douglas & The Wheel
25. Young Fathers
There are of course plenty more I could mention, but I think that’s a good start... Perhaps some of these acts will make it into the BBC studios in Glasgow for a LIVE session on my show too. Young Fathers will be my first guests of the year on 7th January, so tune in for that!
Also remember that we’ll soon have new albums from Franz Ferdinand, Biffy Clyro, Frightened Rabbit, Pictish Trail, Three Blind Wolves, Fat Goth, Rick Redbeard, Kid Canaveral and other big-hitters. I think much like 2012, we could be in for another vintage year ahead... Let’s hope so.
Enjoy & all the best for 2013!
Vic xxx
