The House Of Coxhead - One's To Watch 2015

Last week saw Years & Years crowned the overall winners of the BBC's annual Sound of 2015 poll and with the question of who else will make their mark in 2015 seeming to dominate the whole of the internet and blogsphere at the moment, we thought we'd weigh in on the argument with a few suggestions of our own. Hit the jump to find the list in full and listen to all of the artists via Spotify here: http://po.st/OnesToWatch2015

Aquilo

First up is Lake District duo Aquilo, who ever since releasing their self-titled debut EP back in March of last year have looked like certain future stars. With the latter part of 2014 seeing them sign a major label record deal with Island Records and release the fantastic Human EP, 2015 looks to be the year where their critical acclaim finally goes viral and new single 'Losing You' showcases exactly why. 

George The Poet

Another Island signing George The Poet has been for many the suprise inclusion on many of the end of year tip lists. Very much an artist still in transition, in terms of both his sound and direction, it is the small glimpses of genius that George has shown so far that has warranted his place on all of them. Nowhere is this better shown than in new track 'Cat D' and the fantastic Chicken & the Egg EP released late last year, but it is for me his live performance that trumps them all.

Honne

With electronically minded artists an obvious trend amongst this year's ones to watch lists, few seem to do it better than London based production outfit Honne. Having only very recently signed a deal with Atlantic Records, Honne's success to date is largely a product of a dedicated Soundcloud following, that has helped them sell-out two London shows months in advance before signing any deal. With plenty quality new music still yet to make it's way to public release be sure to keep an eye on this pair over the coming year, you won't regret it.

Jack Garratt

Next an act who despite failing to be named in the influnetial BBC Sound of... poll, stole the show at Radio 1's Future Festival on Tuesday night (just ask Zane Lowe). Garratt a multi-instrumentalist extraordinare, his music is amongst the most unique around at the moment and his latest offering 'The Love You're Given' was for me one of the stand-out tracks released in 2014.

James Bay

An obvious choice, but with good reason it seemed ludicrous to compile a list of artists to watch without somewhere mentioning James Bay on the list. Winner of Brits Critic Choice award and runner up on the BBC Sound of 2015 poll, Bay's soft vocals and obvious talent as a songwriter have already won him legions of fans. With an album reportedly due as early as March, expect to be hearing even more of Mr Bay very soon. 

Jake Isaac

One of only two unsigned acts on this list, Jake Isaac was one of my first inclusions. His debut London show at The Seabright Arms was one of the best gigs I attended all year and with an undeniable talent and enthusiasm for songwriting it seems a question of when not if Mr Isaac will be picked up for a major label deal.

Lapsley

One lady I felt supremely unlucky to miss out on one of the top places in both the BBC's and Brits lists this year was 18 year-old singer/producer Lapsley. Originally form Liverpool, Laplsley huge talent was alerted to the world in October last year when she signed to the legendary XL Recordings. Her sound an etheral mix of soulful piano-led pop and rich electronic production she has found an early champion in the form of Radio 1's Annie Mac and with good reason. Her new Understudy EP, released last week, is nothing short of masterful. 

Seinabo Sey

Another lady I thought unlucky not to be included in many of the larger polls was Seinabo Sey. Already a confirmed star in Scandanavia (she has had both a #1 record in Norway and a #14 in her native Sweden), Seinabo's prominence was increased further last summer when internet sensation Kygo's remixed her track 'Younger' with viral success. It is her incredible For Madeline EP, however, that for me has made her truly stand out, showcasing a vocal talent that at it's best is comparable to Adele in it's stature.

Shura

Another lady to have benefited hugely from the support of Annie Mac, Shura with just a few tracks has shown herself to be an artist with huge potential, striking a perfect balance between new age production and melodic vocals. Already recieving support from the likes of Sam Smith as well as many others, in 2015 Shura looks set to make Pop cool again.

SOAK

An act that first came to my attention at the start of last year when I saw her support George Ezra in Bristol nothing made me happeir than to see SOAK finally getting the attention she deserves when she was named in the BBC Sound of 2015 longlist. With only a few songs available anywhere at the moment, I'll be interested to see how SOAK's sound develops as she preps to walk into the spotlight, but if the amazing 'Blud' is anything to go by something tells me she'll manage just fine.

Tom Misch

With everything he touches at the moment seeming to translate to a Hypemachine No. 1, Tom Misch is very much the man at the moment every label wants to sign. Yet in spite of this he seems to have opted to retain an almost renegade status, by refusing to sign so early on his career and instead enrolling at University in order to study Jazz and music composition. With a talent for production that has led to comparions with both J Dilla and Robert Glasper something tells me that label deal or not in 2015 Misch's some 50,000 Soundcloud followers are only going to continue to increase.

Tourist

An artist who captured my attention early on in 2014 with his fantastic Patterns EP, this year looks to be the point at which Tourist transitions from popular dance producer to fully fledged album artist having signed a major label deal with Universal outfit Polydor. His recent collaboration with Years & Years 'Illuminate' has already been getting a lot of radio play, but it is the follow up to that single 'Wait' that has captured my truly captured my imagination the most so far.

Comments

[Jeff]

Thanks a million - I'm loving this playlist already. Only heard George the Poet and Aquila so far but wow - this year is sounding good already!