On The Lookout: 2015

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Quench Music let you know what theyÔÇÖre looking forward to in the coming year

Newcomer: Låpsley

As we enter the New Year, speculation surrounding the next big thing in music begins. Last year saw the rise of the solo artist, which is set to continue throughout 2015. For fresh take on the increasingly overworked formula add L├Ñpsley to your playlist. The 18-year-old singer songwriter from Southport writes and produces all her material, joining the growing number of self-producing female artists. Her debut EP, Understudy, was released the first week of January and showcases her impressive vocals alongside her clear compositional and production talents. L├Ñpsley combines heartfelt lyrics with minimalist electro pop to create an ambient sound. An artist hotly tipped for the year ahead, L├Ñpsley is definitely one to look out for. ÔÇôJess Rayner

 

MU - 2015 Feature - Joey Badass

 

Album: Joey Bada$$ – B4.DA.$$

Joey Bada$$, the up-and-coming Brooklyn native and figurehead for the hip-hop collective Pro Era, is riding on the back of two acclaimed releases in 2012ÔÇÖs 1999 and 2013 EP Summer Knights. B4.DA.$$ (pronounced ÔÇÿBefore The MoneyÔÇÖ) is set to continue the formula that Joey has established over his short career of bass-heavy, 90ÔÇÖs influenced production, along with a smooth and refined flow that relies on clever lyricism. A few excellent singles from B4.DA.$$ have already been released, including ÔÇÿChrist ConsciousÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿCurry ChickenÔÇÖ, that have added to the already considerable hype surrounding Joey Bada$$ himself. This release is, without a doubt, one of the major hip-hop albums to look out for in the upcoming year. ÔÇôJack Boyce

 

 

MU - 2015 Feature - Enter Shikari

 

Album: Enter Shikari ÔÇô The Mindsweep

Self-confessed genre abusing madmen Enter Shikari are back for 2015 and set to have their most mental year yet. Since 2003, the St. Albans quartet have grown from strength to strength, and their latest project, The Mindsweep, promises to follow the trend. Having teased us with tracks such as ÔÇÿThe Last GarrisonÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿNever Let Go Of The MicroscopeÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿSlipshodÔÇÖ, itÔÇÖs clear that the boys have been experimenting with old sounds and new, making for some awesomely exciting listening.

Not only does a new album mean new music, but it also means Enter Shikari will grace us with their presence once more for their first full length UK tour since 2012. Notorious for their live shows, Enter Shikari are loud, electric and totally reckless. If you havenÔÇÖt seen the band before and managed to get your hands on tickets to one of their many sold out January shows, youÔÇÖre in for a treat. With a busy year ahead, including a headlining slot at Download Festival, it looks like 2015 will be a year to remember for Enter Shikari. ÔÇôAlice Hoddinott

Credit: William Coutts
Credit: William Coutts

 

Newcomer: Honne

HonneÔÇÖs sound runs over you, as viscous as it is lusty, teasing your senses like the high before a tickle. The London duo have fused gritty soul vocals with downbeat production and soft keys to create what critics have called a ÔÇ£re-invention of baby-making music.ÔÇØ Selling out their debut show before releasing an official single, Honne have a carefully curated Soundcloud page to thank. With tracks that echo their artistry while remaining aloof and alluring, there is no questioning their potential to be 2015ÔÇÖs Jungle or James Blake. Filmic and consuming, the sound of Honne will keep you company late at night, though do be warned; it will bite your ear lobe on the way down. ÔÇôLouis Browne

 

Credit: Steve Gullick
Credit: Steve Gullick

 

Newcomers: Jagaara

It would be easy to label Jagaara as the British Haim, and admittedly, on first listen, this is a fair comparison to make. Yet, the three sisters from Finchley have a sound that feels darker, with heady synths and looming harmonies alluding to a more retrospective musical direction. Their lyrics are steeped in nostalgia and delivered with a self-awareness that has seen them picked up by the same management as Foals and Peace. The trio are set to release more material in 2015, with songs that will no doubt continue to create an indie-ambience like a school disco in slow motion.┬áÔÇôLouis Browne

Genre: Rap

One genre thatÔÇÖll hit harder than Solange hit Jay-Z in that elevator this coming year will be rap. With Kanye being Kanye and Dr Dre still locked in that basement; itÔÇÖs up to the new kids on the block to ÔÇ£watch the throneÔÇØ. 2015 will see the release of not only the hotly-awaited third studio album from Kendrick Lamar, but also the release of Lupe FiascoÔÇÖs fifth album, Tetsuo & Youth. Among the fresh faces expected to blow up rap in a good way will be Childish Gambino and Schoolboy Q. Among those nominations is the man whose lyrics flow like waterfalls – clearly IÔÇÖm no rapper – the legend that is Eminem. Back to his roots with the release of Marshall Mathers LP 2, expect Slim Shady to lead the way in the New Year.┬áÔÇôAlex Miarli

2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival - Day 2

Album: Radiohead

When Thom Yorke speaks, the world listens, at least, it seemed that way when a series of cryptic tweets and photos were uploaded to his twitter account. Taken from ÔÇÿ15 years of discarded words and picturesÔÇÖ, what really intrigued his followers is they were being uploaded while ÔÇÿoverdubs happenÔÇÖ in the Radiohead studio. Its rare that Radiohead fans gets excited ÔÇô given their penchant for the downbeat and melancholy ÔÇô but if anything can bring them from forlorn to fired-up, itÔÇÖs the promise of a new album. ┬áRadiohead are like black olives, they annoy you at first because they keep turning up unexpected in places they shouldnÔÇÖt, but once you get used to the taste you start asking for them, despite peopleÔÇÖs weird looks. Initial disdain for their refusenik alternative UK grunge image is replaced by wide-eyed fanboy/girlism. Given YorkeÔÇÖs recent release of the eerily emotive, minimalistic TomorrowÔÇÖs Modern Boxes, it seems like great things are on their way from the masters of morose. ÔÇôGreg McChesney

 

 

 


 

2015 FORECAST 

The Festival Headliner

The Beatles Hologram ÔÇô Glastonbury

The Surprise Album Drop

Adele ÔÇô 25

First One Direction Member To Fold

Zayn Malik

Indie Label Takeover

PC Music

Most Mimicked Song

ÔÇÿUptown FunkÔÇÖ ÔÇô Mark Ronson (feat. Bruno Mars)

Christmas No. 1

The Wealdstone Raider

Genre In Revival

Pop Punk

Total World Domination

Taylor Swift