WHAT’S NEW IN THE UK?

It seems nothing much is happening in the U.S. music scene right now. What better time is there than now to look across the pond and see what the British music scene has to offer in 2015? Here are seven new exciting bands and artists on the radars of music fans in the land of the Fab Four and the Rolling Stones, from heartwarming singer-songwriter pop, to soul, rock and electro-pop. 

Royal Blood

What it sounds like: Garage-Glam Rock, or The White Stripes meet Muse. 

Why it’s cool: The group won “Best New Band” and “Best Live Band” at this year’s NME awards, and it all began with Arctic Monkeys’ drummer Matt Helders wearing one of its band shirts to a festival gig. 

Essential listening: “Out Of The Black”

Years & Years

What it sounds like: Electro-Pop with a healthy dose of R&B, thanks to singer Olly Alexander’s top-notch vocals.

Why it’s cool: They were named “Sound of 2015” by the BBC in the beginning of the year, which is always a fairly right indicator as to who’s about to make it big. Past winners include Sam Smith (2014), Haim (2013) and Ellie Goulding (2010). 

Essential listening: “Real”

James Bay

What it sounds like: Dramatic, bittersweet singer-songwriter pop like Ed Sheeran, Tom Odell and Paolo Nutini.

Why it’s cool: He opened for the Rolling Stones and stood second place in BBC’s “Sound of 2015”. 

Essential listening: “Hold Back The River”

FKA Twigs

What it sounds like: Breathy art-pop with R&B elements and sensual lyrics.

Why it’s cool: Twigs is not only sparkly Robert Pattinson’s girlfriend — this woman blew away the audience when she performed “Two Weeks” at “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” last November.

“I’ve never seen anything like that before,” Fallon said after the performance. “Oh my god.”

Essential listening: “Pendulum”

Catfish and the Bottlemen

What it sounds like: The melodious, catchy indie rock we love Britain for.

Why it’s cool: A lot of people know them because their song “Cocoon” is featured on soccer videogame FIFA 15. Surprisingly, they’re not from London, Brighton, Manchester or Sheffield, Britain’s music powers, but from North Wales.

Essential listening: “Pacifier”

Happyness

What it sounds like: The ’90s in America. Weezer, Pavement, trashy guitars and “Malcolm in the Middle.”

Why it’s cool: The group recently won an NME award for “Best Lyric” for its Arcade Fire reference: “I’m wearing Win Butler’s hair/There’s a scalpless singer in a Montreal rock band somewhere.”

Essential listening: “Everything I Do Is All Right”

Kwabs

What it sounds like: R&B and soul with a lot of personality. 

Why it’s cool: Kwabs’ success story is like a movie. Born in Ghana, he was raised in the foster care system in the UK where his music teacher discovered his talent. He also was part of a reality TV show and later sang in front of Prince Harry. His song “Walk” became an international hit.

Essential listening: “Wrong Or Right”

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