Musical faces to watch in 2013 by Amelia Harvey

Melody’s Echo Chamber

The Parisian former Narcoleptic’s frontwoman Melody Prochet and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker have teamed up for the dreamy celestial pop Melody’s Echo Chamber. Their self-titled album was released in October 2012 but I predict 2013 is going to be a big year for the group.

Arlissa

The south London born singer has made such a big impact she snagged a slot on the New Year’s Eve edition of Top Of The Pops as well as featuring on Nas’ ‘Hard To Love Somebody’. The mix of Kate Bush vocals and urban beats makes her stand out from the crowd. Her debut song ‘Sticks and Stones’ will be released on March 3rd.

Tom Odell

The Chichester singer and songwriter released his EP in October last year but it was the featuring of ‘Another Love’ in the BBC 2013 schedule advert that caught our attention. He cites Elton John as his biggest influence but Leonard Cohen comparisons are being thrown at the 22 year old with his sweet piano tones and confessional lyrics. His debut album is due for release in June.

Savages

British all-female punks Savages only played their first show in January last year when they supported British Sea Power. The four piece released their debut single in the summer a song which mixed pretty PJ Harvey like vocals with a heavy post punk sound.

Charlie XCX

The 20 year old 90’s fanatic may look like Tumblr thew up on her with her neon Spice Girl look but her music is a grown up Marina and The Diamonds with songs like Nuclear Season sounding like a single from Gwen Stefani’s solo career. She has released two EP’s and her debut album will be released in February.

Night Engine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBH9eYwrMBo
Despite only being a band for a year and playing a handful of show they four piece have already created a buzz on fact the band are still holding down day jobs. Their brand of 80’s funk pop has touches of The Talking Heads, David Bowie and Frankie Goes to Hollywood and already has been the sound of various fashion shows. The band have three songs on Soundcloud and plan to release their debut album in the summer.

Haim

The winners of BBC Sound of 2013 have a lot to live up to with previous winners including Adele, Ellie Goulding and Keane. The California sisters have been described as ‘the new Fleetwood Mac’ with their fusion of soul vocals (a cross between Stevie Nicks and Everything But The Girl’s Tracey Thorn) and their indie rock sounds.

Chvrches
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUvJBD9MVI4
Scottish electronic band Chvrches eurphoric electro sound is sure to be the soundtrack to every cool indie film made this year with their Passion Pit electronic sound. It contains band members from Twilight Sad and Aerogramme and have garnered comparisons with Robyn and The Knife. Their singles ‘Lies’ and ‘The Mother We Share’ have both been critically acclaimed here and in America, their debut album is due soon.

Bastille

Between their Laura Palmer EP and numerous slots at festivals the London band have been slowly building up a fanbase. Their music has also been featured in Made In Chelsea and Vampire Diaries and they will be supported Two Door Cinema Club on their January/February tour. 2013 sees them finally unveil their long awaited debut album which promises to make them the coolest thing in radio friendly rock.

Palma Violets

On the back of the popularity of The Vaccines, Palma Violet have earned a significant online fanbase with their stripped down to the guitars sound, earning them comparisons to The Libertines and The Strokes, their frontmen even being called the new Carl Barat and Pete Doherty. The four piece will be on this year’s NME tour after the magazine dubbed their song ‘Best of Friends’ the track of 2012.

Saint Lou Lou

Swedish twins Elektra and Miranda have already impressed the blogesphere with their quirky atmospheric electro like a hazier Robyn. They are currently working with Robyn and Lana Del Rey producer Patrik Berger and Sugababes songwriter Hannah Robinson.

Kodaline

The Dublin four piece, who found on fame in Irish reality show You’re A Star in 2006 under the name 21 Demands, released their EP in late 2012 to critical acclaim. Their emotive folk tinged rock has earned fans on Fearne Cotton and Zane Lowe as well as appearing in Grey’s Anatomy with the Coldplay influenced ‘All I Want’.

Death At Sea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBsDq-Uomh4
The Liverpool rockers are the perfect soundtrack to the summer festivals with their sunny pop tinted rock. Despite their back catalogue being on the small side they have already created hype with their double A side Drag/selfless. No news on an album but it certainly is one of the most anticipated of the year.

A*M*E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZoXMjjAarw
Signed to Gary Barlow’s label the Sierra Leone born London based seventeen year old is a sugary reply to Azealia Banks. Having toured with Jessie J and Jessica Ware she has already stood her ground and that doesn’t include the UK R&B chart number 1 she had with Play the Game Boy. Her songs are insanely catchy with touches of K-pop (she co-wrote the song ‘Beautiful Stranger’ which was a Korean number 1 for F(x).)

Glass Animals

A dark version of the Mercury winner Alt+J they are a band who haven’t brought into the tell all nature on the internet. No hometown, glossy photo-shoots or backs-tory can be found on their Facebook page. Their mix of dubstep, soul, electro and indie means they span genres. The EP Leaflings is out now.