First part of our tips for the new year: Under the radar pt 1 suggests seven acts to watch. Enjoy their music!
Starting his musical journey aged five in Paris, Can Godfrey (aka Somebody’s Child) took to playing the piano in the family apartment. Upon moving back to Ireland, he gained an interest in songwriting, enabling him to tell his own stories. These narratives often reflect upon difficult mental health experiences, as well as the endearing happenings of a youngster growing up in Dublin. (From Spotify bio)
Bradford’s BBCC are MCs Kane, GK and Clive. Deeply influenced by the bassline house clubbing heritage they grew up around in the North of England as well as emergent UK and US rap. The boys’ have created something of their own new sound, lacing pacey 4×4 bassquakes with a frantic Iyrical fire that veers from infectious ear-worm hooks to wry observational punchlines. Think The Streets meet T2’s ‘Heartbroken’. Embracing the term ‘charva’ as a way-of-life, together the channel the nuances and absurdities of northern street life into hugely addictive tunes. (From Spotify bio)
With their chart-topping debut album W.L. storming the charts in 2021, West Lothian’s The Snuts released their follow-up album Burn The Empire to rave reviews earlier this year. Produced by long time collaborators Detonate and Clarence Coffee Jr, the album, which charted in the Top 3, continues the band’s evolution both sonically and lyrically. A voice for the next generation, lead singer Jack Cochrane attacks subjects affecting the youth of today, addressing corrupt corporations and politicians, as well as the lethal effects of poverty across Britain and its impact on society. (From Spotify bio)
When polymath artist Wesley Joseph moved to London to study as filmmaker, he discovered something in city life that demanded to be captured in song, and found a crew of collaborators – including A.K. Paul, Dave Okumu, Joy Orbison, Leon Vynehall, Lexxx, Loyle Carner and his childhood friend Jorja Smith – to help him do it. The result was his 2021 debut ULTRAMARINE (released on his own imprint EEVILTWINN), a deeply textured collection of avant-R&B and soulful future-pop that stretched from psychedelic ballads to hard hip-hop bars (often in the span of a single track) and crystallized the mood of a young cohort trying to find love and live their dreams while the world is falling apart. (From Spotify bio)
Äyanna is a vocalist, songwriter and actress from East London. Performing since the age of 6, in 2019 decided to pursue a full time music career, after leaving her Law and Spanish course at Bristol University. Äyanna’s genre of music is evolving, her goal being to fuse her favourite pop sounds with RnB, Alternative and Soul.
Formed in late 2019 Sprints have barely paused for breath since. The Garage-Punk Dublin outfit’s debut A side ‘Kissing Practice’/ The Cheek’ immediately landed them a fan in BBC 6Music legend Steve Lamacq. Everything that goes into the band’s cathartic punk battle-cries can be seen as something of a call-to-arms: an attempt to silence the internal doubting voices and to fight against the outdated social tropes that box in individuality. Now, more confident in their opinions and identities than ever, Sprints have racked up sold-out shows across Ireland, the UK, and Europe as well as a string of shows at SXSW in Austin, Texas – cementing themselves as one of the most ferocious and exciting emerging live acts. (From Spotify bio)
Hull, U.K.-based quintet Bdrmm walk the line between dream pop and shoegaze, switching between ethereal melancholy and driving delay with ease. Originally a solo project, lead vocalist Ryan Smith decided to expand into a band; he roped in his brother, Jordan Smith, on bass before drafting Joe Vickers (guitar), Danny Hull (synth, backing vocals), and Luke Irvin (drums). Their debut single, “C:U,” was picked up by small London label Permanent Creep, which secured the song radio play. The track was noticed by Sonic Cathedral, which signed the band in 2019 and went on to release their debut EP, If Not, When?, later the same year. They followed up with a full-length release, Bedroom, in 2020.
This Is Pop? 