While 2016 may have been big on flamboyant musical performances, that included work by Beyonce, Drake and Rihanna - 2017 seems to prefer new artists crawling out from their cocoons the world over. Fortunately, the refreshing quirkiness of these artists, coupled with innovative electronic ensembles, are leaving no room for complaints. To get your started on that new playlist for this year, here are our top picks across genres. MAKEBA by JAIN (EDM)
Do not let the doe-eyed, pigtail donning JAIN fool you. Discovered by Jaden Smith at one of her performances, this French singer, songwriter is bringing the groove with her single titled “Makeba”, inspired by the South African singer, songwriter and civil rights activist. Jain’s sounds are a combination of dreamy staccato vocals mixed with funk pop, wrapped around groovy bass riffs.
ALASKA by MAGGIE ROGERS (EDM)
Rogers apparently wrote this dreamy, irresistible “Glam” EDM track in a mere 15 minutes. Not bad at all, considering her efforts reduced singer, songwriter Pharrell Williams to tears and amassed over 2 million views on the track’s YouTube link since its release in October of 2016. Clad in a blue sweatshirt, and boyfriend jeans, the track’s video follows Rogers around the morning forest trees of a distant American town (wasn’t shot in Alaska please), belting out quivering falsettos - reinstating our faith in electronic soul.
IN MY MIND by THE AMAZONS (ROCK / ALTERNATIVE)
Thank God for this quartet, allowing us to avoid wannabe rock bands, (and no, bass guitar with a turn table isn't the same). This Reading based band, has been kicking up a storm with their live performances, and now they are out with their single “In My Mind”, with some seriously slick guitar playing and powerful vocals.
STUCK by THE ACES (POP ROCK)
The video of the band’s first single “Stuck”, pans across a house complete with Disco lights and straight faced girls slamming it out on their guitars. With a loopy chorus (although overdone by artists through years, but nonetheless catchy), and a healthy combination of funk rock, and pop, the songs manages to remain reminiscent of the glamorous ‘80s. The Utah based outfit was recently signed on by Red Bull Records, and is expected to come out with their album later this year. Till then, they are happily bringing back some interest in pop, in a world full of EDM offsprings.
HUMAN by RAG’N’BONE (POP/ SOUL)
The big man with an even bigger voice, brings his latest single “Human”, that wrenches your heart out with baritone lyrics and a powerful video. Set to some incredible bass riffs, Rory Graham once again proves, that turn tables and computers are shunned to the back when a voice such as his, takes front stage. His following album is expected to be out in March 2017, so eyes and ears wide open till then.
SHOW ME THE WAY by TRIP (EDM)
An usually refreshing track from a (slightly wannabe’ish) web series, “Show Me The Way” seems to have gotten a bit more attention than the series itself. The title track for the web show titled “The Trip”, works its way into one of the episodes, as a background for a farmhouse party with people bobbing up and down in slow motion (something that 40 something directors expect the average millennial to be doing for most of his / her time). Compensating for a disappointing storyline (despite brave performances by the girls), the title track, acts as a savior to the overall effort.
LIFE WORTH LIVING by LAUREL (POP / SOUL)
Although the track was released over YouTube in early 2016, the talented singer (and producer) with haunting vocals, is accumulating fans well into 2017. With thoughtful lyrics, and tastefully mixed, the track is powerful and reminds one of the moods set out by the likes of Lana Del Rey. The 22 year old’s other singles are catching some strong attention of the music world -“San Fransisco”, has earned her Apple Music first artist of the week, and “Hurricane” took the music blogger community by storm with the autumn 2016 release.
We need you to seriously get those earphones out now.
(This article has been contributed by Shweta Sharma, who is a Delhi based musician/entrepreneur)
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