There are a couple of musicians who I have been obsessing over this year, and maybe you should too. They are young, modern, and honestly their music is so amazing that you will be listening to their albums over and over. Some of them have been around a while, but it seems that 2015 was their year to shine. For the others, they really emerged this year and no one seems to be complaining about it.
1. Lianne La Havas
Lianne is a British singer filled with soul and an overwhelming amount of talent. Her album, Blood, will make you an instant fan because of the journey it will take you on. There are quiet yet powerful songs like Wonderful, but then there are songs where you realize that you are listening to a powerhouse of a voice, which is showcased in songs like Unstoppable and What You Don't Do. She has been featured on the NPR Tiny Desk series and was on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Trust me, her voice will take you places.
2. Troye Sivan
Troye Sivan really started on YouTube. But he wasn't someone that would put out music videos or anything, he would just talk to the camera, share stories, and make visually appealing videos. It's the talented Australian's personality that won people over, which is evident in the 3.7 million subscribers he has on YouTube. He also starred in a couple of movies as well, which did nothing but help get him noticed. In August 2014, he released an EP entitled TRXYE which did amazingly well, and songs off the album got played on the radio overseas. The success of that EP, and the continuance of his YouTube channel, got him signed by a recording label. On December 4, he released Blue Neighbourhood. This album is something special. It's like a mature electronic album. His voice flows over the electronic chords, and the album is versatile enough where you could play it while you and your friends are just lounging around the house, or you could play it at a party for people to dance to. I highly suggest checking out Talk Me Down and Ease off the album. Here he is for his TV debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (above).
3. Leon Bridges
This Texas native really blew up this year. He is definitely one of those musicians where teens, moms, dads, grandmas, and really anyone can enjoy his music. The soul and raw emotion he put into his album Coming Home is something to listen to. It's like he showed up on that Apple commercial and then everybody heard about him, but rightfully so. He also recently just played on SNL which is something to note because historically speaking, any artist who is somewhat unknown to the general public, will soon be heavily noticed after playing an SNL episode. I suggest checking out Pull Away and Flowers. Go back in time and check out Smooth Sailin' (above).
4. Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment
The Social Experiment is an American band that has found success, and especially in 2015. Yes, they were popular before 2015, but after putting out the album, Surf, their careers took off. The album is just one of those albums that you could listen to from start to finish and then say: "let's do it again." There are songs that will make you grin like Slip Slide, and others like Pass the Vibes that will want to make you sit back and relax. Of course, being that Chance the Rapper is involved with this project only makes the songs that much better. I highly suggest to listen to the now very popular song, Sunday Candy, and really listen to those lyrics about his Grandma.
5. Phony Ppl
OK, so this band hasn't gotten too popular yet, but just watch out. Their music is addicting to listen to, and it is the perfect album to play with the windows rolled down and the sun shining in your face. They have played back up for Fetty Wap on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and did SXSW this year. This Brooklyn based band knows what they are doing, and have produced a sound that singles them out from most other emerging Brooklyn bands. I highly suggest listening to HelGa and Baby Meet My Lover.
Let me know what you think!
