18 Artists to Listen to in 2018

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By m_x_ 19 Feb 2018, 5:17am

In the last few weeks, we've teased 18 upcoming artists we recommend you listen to in 2018!

Many bands and singers picked January as the perfect time to tease their upcoming projects and we're now starting to get a good idea of some of the major releases that will come out this year, as well as releases from some burgeoning acts. Discover 18 artists on the rise that you can expect to hear a lot from this year.

Phoebe Bridgers

Phoebe Bridgers is a twenty-three-year-old American indie folk musician from Los Angeles who just released her debut album Stranger in the Alps in September 2017. The melancholic, intimate soft music she shares with her audience on this first album took years to craft and a first listen will leave you feeling nostalgic, with the lasting impression that you have just shared a sincere and emotional journey with the singer.

Lo Moon

It only took one song entitled 'Loveless' for mysterious Los Angeles band Lo Moon to garner substantial exposure online. Their seven-minute dream-pop tune will cast a spell on you and might leave you wanting for more. Fans have been waiting for a debut album for quite some time, but the band confirmed that it is coming on 23 February!

Jacob Banks

Jacob Banks is a Nigerian-born British singer-songwriter whose music is influenced by an innovative blend of electro-soul, R&B and hip hop. His three-part debut album entitled The Village is due out this year.

Superorganism

Superorganism is an international indie pop band extraordinaire with members from England, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand! Their highly anticipated debut album is out on 2nd March!

Vagabon

Vagabon is a New York-based indie multi-instrumentalist from Cameroon whose rock music is anchored in today's world. Listen to her debut album Infinite Worlds which was released last year.

Mt. Joy

Mt. Joy is an Indie Folk band from Philadelphia. Guitarist Sam Cooper lived near two mounts, Mt. Misery and Mt. Joy in Valley Forge, PA. We're glad they named the band after the latter! Mt. Joy's debut album is out on 2nd March.

Yaeji

Yaeji has caught everyone's attention with her unique blend of deep-house and Hip Hop. The New York/Seoul-based artist released EP2 last November which features the hypnotic 'Raingurl' and 'Drink I'm Sippin On'.

Jadu Heart

Jadu Heart a.k.a. Dina and Faro are a masked duo from London. Together they create a warm, cinematic, ethereal sound with electronic, alt-rock and R&B influences.

MUNA

MUNA is an American electronic dark-pop band from Los Angeles that has received both critical and popular acclaim following the release of its debut album About U last year. As expressed by the band's tweets, the single 'I Know A Place' has become an uplifting anthem "for queer folks, for people of color, for immigrants, for those who have been made to feel unsafe in their own skin". Their music and positive, inclusive messages are sure to make them gain many more fans and followers this year.

Daniel Caesar

If you don't know Daniel Caesar yet, you are about to hear a lot more about him and his music in 2018. The Canadian R&B and soul singer-songwriter was nominated this year in two Grammy Awards categories, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Album. The soulful singer has been releasing music independently since 2015, building a strong online following and receiving widespread critical acclaim for his EPs and for his recent debut album Freudian, released in August 2017. If you feel like listening to something smooth and relaxing with touching vocals, this album is for you.

Pale Waves

The indie rock quartet delivers emotional lyrics and a catchy pop sound influenced by 1980s band such as The Cure and Cocteau Twins. Their first EP All The Things I Never Said is out on 16 March!

H.E.R.

H.E.R. stands for 'Having Everything Revealed', which hints at the nature of the alternative R&B and soul singer's secrecy over her identity. In an interview with NPR, the American singer known as Gabi Wilson made her intentions clear: "This project came from an emotion, and that's what I want it to be about – not what I look like or who I'm with . I feel like this is the era of the anti-star. I really just wanted it to be about the music, and get away from, 'Who is she with?' and 'What is she wearing?'". H.E.R. has released two EPs, re-issued as a compilation album in December 2017, and recently shared a new song simply entitled 'My Song', which could hint at a debut album coming soon.

Sigrid

If you can relate to Perfume Genius who last year tweeted "we need Robyn" and agree the Swedish singer has been too quiet in recent years, you might be able to satisfy your craving for Scandinavian pop music with a substitute. Sigrid is a 21-year-old Norwegian singer who made waves in 2017 and is set to release her debut album in 2018.

Poppy Ajudha

Poppy Ajudha's soulful voice and music will take you on an unforgettable journey. While we wait for her debut EP, make sure you watch her music video for 'Spilling into You'.

Snail Mail

Fronted by 18-year-old singer and guitarist Lindsey Jordan, indie rock band Snail Mail has recorded a debut album and it's coming this year.

Au/Ra

Au/Ra will intrigue you with her dark-pop and her green hair. The young and fun-loving singer has only released a few songs but her inspiring vocals and her charisma have already won her many fans!

Lucy Dacus

Lucy Dacus is an American indie rock performer who caught the attention of many with her debut album No Burden back in 2016. Her sophomore album Historian out on 2 March should cement her as a leading voice of the current indie scene.

Turnstile

Turnstile is a hardcore punk rock band from Baltimore that is getting a lot of attention thanks to its stage presence and a thrilling debut album Nonstop Feeling. The band will release a second album Time & Space this year.