With award season nearly upon us it’s time to take a break and look back at some of the best breakthrough artists of 2012, and our best tips for 2013.
The Nominations:
Jake Bugg
From; Clifton, Nottingham
For Fans of: Don McLean, Arctic Monkeys, Bob Dylan and Oasis
Key Tracks; Lightning Bolt, Trouble Town and Taste It
It’s been impossible to escape the dulcet tones of music’s newest teenage icon in the last six months. From Lightning Bolt accompanying Bolt at the Olympics and constant Radio play; Bugg seems determined to make fans out of us all. With the likes of Example and Noel Gallagher already amongst his fan base you can be sure you’re in good company. After a series of hit singles, his debut album shot straight to the number one spot beating Leona Lewis in a chart battle that really summed up what he stands for; to keep “that x factor s**t of the top spot”. And he’s not getting complacent, recently turning down a drink with Radio One DJ Nick Grimshaw “cuz that second album isn’t going to write itself”. Expect to hear a lot more of this young man in years to come!
Rita Ora
From; West London
For Fans of; Rhianna and Gwen Stafani
Key Tracks; Hot Right Now, RIP and Radioactive
Rita Ora made her name in a series of viral you tube videos back in 2011, while working on her debut album. In Dec 2011 Ora and DJ Fresh released the music video for “Hot Right Now” and the track proceeded to go straight to number one on its release in February 2012. A big year, which included supporting Coldplay and a series of UK number ones and culminated with the release of her album “Ora” in August, which debuted at the top of the UK charts. She’s not taking a break after all her success however, and has been quoted saying: "I definitely know what I want more and it's pretty straightforward with what I'm trying to say with this second album”. Sounds like we will be hearing more from Rita in the not too distant future.
Alt-J
From; Leeds England
For Fans of; Everything Everything, Two Door Cinema Club
Key Tracks; Tessellate, Breezeblocks and Dissolve Me
Alt-J may have been adopted by a predominantly indie fan base but their unique sound comes from influences ranging from folk to hip-hop. In fact their debut album, An Awesome Wave, is so comprehensive many have said its’ only glue is lead singer Joe Newman’s distinct vocal style. The album may not have had the best chart success of the nominations, but it has already stacked up a collection of awards from the prestigious 2012 Mercury Prize to BBC Radio 6 Album of the year. Arguably the most experimental of all the nominations (look out for high school keyboard sound effects on opening track Intro) this album really represents a step forwards in modern alternative music.
Ben Howard
From; London, England
For Fans of; Bon Iver, Charlie Simpson, Mumford and Sons
Key Tracks; Keep Your Head Up, The Wolves and Only Love
With Ben Howard’s first EP Games in the Dark being released independently way back in 2008, and his debut album Every Kingdom coming out in October 2011, he is not strictly “breakout” artist, but the brilliance of his music means we can forgive this oversight. Adored by Radio DJs and listeners alike Howards popularity sored during 2012 and he embarked on a hugely successful tour supporting Willy Mason. With no number ones or previous awards to speak of, Howard may be the underdog in this year’s Breakout Battle, but that just makes us love him even more. Will this be the Year Ben Howard gets the recognition he truly deserves?
Jesse Ware
From; Oban, Scotland
For Fans of; Disclosure and AlunaGeorge
Key Tracks; If You’re Never Gonna Move (previously 110%) and Wildest Moments
Jesse Ware, favourite Radio One Breakfast Host Nick Grimshaw, may have the smallest back catalogue of the contenders for this year’s breakthrough act, but this doesn’t make her a weak candidate. Combining a blend of Soul and R&B, Clash magazine called her “the missing link between Adele, SBTRKT and Sade" making future chart success sound guaranteed. Her debut album Devotion reached an impressive Number 5 in the UK album charts, and she is the third of out breakthrough artists to be nominated for the 2012 Mercury award. Consistent radio play makes us think we will be hearing a lot more from Miss Ware in the coming year.
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