Following HCX’s summary of music must-knows from 2012, here we provide you with the 411 of 2013 music and artists to look out for, whatever music taste you have! Enjoy…
- Of Monsters and Men
This five-piece indie folk band from Iceland were formed in 2010 and won the 2013 European Border Breakers Awards, an award that honours the best new music acts in Europe. So what better excuse to have them at the top of the Top 5 musicians to look out for in 2013? This modest, talented band really touched the hearts of those into more behind the scenes music throughout 2012, but towards the end of the year made their appearance in the charts with their lead single, “Little Talks”. Their style has been compared to that of Mumford & Sons, Arcade Fire, and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, but I really think their individual style is appreciated by all music tastes. Other popular songs are Love, Love, Love and Mountain Sound. Have a listen and look out for their gigs in accessible towns such as Bristol and Oxford in February/March!
- Rudimental
The Hackney quartet have already delivered towards the end of 2012 with their two fantastic dance hits Feel The Love and Not Giving In, fully appreciated by all that went on the Exeter University Snowsports trip to Mayrhofen in December and saw him give a superb performance (whilst downing a bottle of vodka throughout…?). And who can forget their amazing set at the infamous Exeter Safer Sex Ball 2012? HCX is here to tell you that they will be releasing their debut album on February 25, 2013. Prepare for yet another successful anthem which will boss over all the club charts this term.
- Eminem
Not only will this rap alter-ego legend be headlining at Reading and Leeds this year, (extremely disappointed that my 15 year old sister will be enjoying this and not me…), but he has revealed that he will be releasing his EIGHTH album in 2013. Long-time collaborations Dr Dre and 50 Cent are due to be involved, and one can only imagine what wonders Marshall Bruce Mathers III will produce after having so many successful hits in the past 15 years. I’m not a huge fan of rap music, but I find it hard to believe how anyone can not enjoy his wondrous creations with thought provoking lyrics and professional rhythms. 40 years old and still got it, watch out for this album!
- Azealia Banks
I swear every person aged 8 to 23 was singing this tune/attempting to know all the lyrics to the upbeat rhythm, when it was released in December 2011 – 212 was Banks’ debut single and then in 2012 she proceeded to release a mix tape, Fantasea, and played 11 sold-out UK shows. The 21-year-olds debut album Broke With Expensive Taste (such a good title?! Story of most HCX girls lives I’m sure…) is due to be released in February 2013, so stay tuned for more sing along tracks.
- Phoenix
Alternative rock band from Versailles, France, released their last album, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, in 2009 and it was welcomed with huge success all over, but they’ve promised that this new album due to be released in late summer of 2013, will an autumn tour to follow, will be moving in a different direction… They say it will be a departure from the pop sounds of Wolfgang as they try to create something more experimental; the founder of the record company has labelled it as ‘revolutionary’. Not a note has been heard from this new set of tracks, but words like nostalgic, futuristic, experimental and minimal have been thrown into the media pipeline. By mid-summer, I think anyone that has heard any of Phoenix’s music before can support that it’s safe to say they’ll be reclaiming their festival-anchor line up positioning by mid-summer.
Photo credits: http://news.getmusicasia.com/2012/12/06/monsters-men-singapore-2013tour/, http://access-fashion.com/2012/08/rudimental-converse-represents-club-100/, http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/eminem/images/227171/title/eminem-wallpaper, http://alfitude.com/tag/azealia-banks/, http://www.braindropz.net/2012…, http://www.justmusicthatilike….