POP newcomers & under-the-radar artists who have us excited for 2012:
Charli XCX
Charli! You are the answer to our prayers! You are the POP embodiment of all that we love about Lykke Li, the Knife, and even Zola Jesus! We hereby crown you the Dark POP Princess of 2012.
Kay
Canadian POP singer Kay has all the star-power of Jessie J and the rhythm of Robyn. My Name is Kay sounds akin to the Ting Ting's Hands & vintage Mark Ronson. We're lovin' it. Promoted by ArjanWrites & other fantastic music bloggers, we'll be seeing more of "the most interesting lady in the world" in 2012. Oh, yes, & by now you should know: her name is Kay.
Canadian POP singer Kay has all the star-power of Jessie J and the rhythm of Robyn. My Name is Kay sounds akin to the Ting Ting's Hands & vintage Mark Ronson. We're lovin' it. Promoted by ArjanWrites & other fantastic music bloggers, we'll be seeing more of "the most interesting lady in the world" in 2012. Oh, yes, & by now you should know: her name is Kay.
Neon Hitch
Neon Hitch is a star. This gypsy diva has kept busy by working with POP playboys Gym Class Heroes & 3Oh!3, but by now we cray-cray-crave a solo career. Thankfully, Neon is teamed up with one of our favorite producers, Benny Blanco. Her debut album, Beg, Borrow, and Steal, should hit the stores this year. We're stoked. [Update: Neon aims to please with F*ck U Betta - it's dynamite!]
Skylar Grey
We absolutely love & admire Skylar Grey. Similar to a "Top 40 Bon Iver," you may know her from her work with P.Diddy and/or Eminem. Her next album, Invisible, a collaboration with producer Alex da Kid, is set for release this January.
Michael Kiwanuka
Michael Kiwanuka, an up & coming singer-songwriter who toured with Lady Adele herself, is crafting classy & classic music. Part jazz, part soul, part POP, we were thrilled to see him on the BBC's Sound of 2012. His debut album, Home Again, is set for release in March of this year. We're excited! [Update: Michael officially WON the BBC Sound of 2012!]
MNEK
At only 17, MNEK has been named one of NME's 20 hottest producers in music, as well as the next Frankmusik by The Guardian. Since being signed to a publishing and record deal, he's written the top 5 UK hit, All Fired Up, for British girl group The Saturdays. He's also produced Oh My!'s cover of The Saturday's Higher. His first single, If Truth Be Told, is a bubblegum, funk, and early 90's R&B/dance gumbo-like mixture. Though his album won't be out until 2013, we still expect great things from MNEK in 2012.
Alex Winston
The singer who churned out country-tinged POP tunes like Locomotive, Velvet Elvis, Sister Wife, and Choice Notes, is set to release her debut album in the UK this coming year on Island Records. Can't wait to hear what she's got up her sleeve! (P.S. As a kid with Belorussian parents, Gregory feels all fuzzy inside after seeing the matryoshka dolls in the pic above.)
Florrie
Lovely Florrie lies somewhere between a 60s muse & a modern model. Her first two EPs, Introduction & Experiments, have a textured & organic feel, earning her praise from music critics across the globe. We hope to hear her third EP sometime this year.
Zowie
Kiwi Power POP artist Zowie's Smash It, Bite Back, & Broken Machine have us all geared up for her time-traveling, futuristic first album which, according to Zowie, we can expect sometimes in 2012. Bring it on!
Colette Carr
Colette Carr strikes us as Cher Lloyd meets LMFAO. Signed to Cherrytree Records, one of our favorite labels, Colette's songs sound like neon laser-tag on the dancefloor. Modern, hip, and young, Colette's debut album Skitszo is set for release later this year.
Mohombi
We love us some dancehall, so when Bumby Ride was released, replete with pelvic thrusts and smooth dance moves, we hit the dancefloor with alacrity. Signed by RedOne & recognized by Poptastic as a "big thing in 2012," the future is looking bright for Swedish-Congolese musician Mohombi. We are hoping he has a great year in 2012.
Unapologetically,
Gregory & Minna
