It may only be December, but many music industry buffs are already getting their spring music predictions underway. Feeling a bit overwhelmed? With so many new artists entering the scene and so many ways to find the newest bands, it can be easy to miss what could be your next obsession. But don’t worry – with the help of Seattle radio station KEXP and NPR’s list of 5 Artists You Should Know in 2011, here are 3 bands to catch you up:
Of Monsters And Men
The Icelandic band Of Monsters and Men made its debut with My Head Is an Animal, an impressive set of epic folk-pop. Its dynamic sound combines the warmth and earnestness of Seattle’s The Head and the Heart with the anthemic surge of Arcade Fire in impeccably crafted, heartfelt songs that feature male/female lead vocals, exuberant group harmonies, sing-along choruses and endlessly catchy pop hooks.
Canon Blue
Canon Blue is the alias of Nashville’s Daniel James, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and touring member of the Danish band Efterklang. Written while touring with that group, and recorded during off hours at its Copenhagen studio, Rumspringa is anything but a casual side project. It’s an orchestral pop masterpiece with intricate arrangements, cascading melodies and emotional depth.
Apparat Organ Quartet
If Kraftwerk made an album in 2011, it would probably sound like Pólýfónía — great for driving the Autobahn, the back roads or the Internet. A playful set of mostly instrumental synth-rock, it combines analog synths, organs and other vintage keyboards with driving drums and occasional vocodered vocals.
The full list can be viewed here. What other artists would you include on this list that made your year?
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Image courtesy of http://www.last.fm/music/Of+Monsters+And+Men
Suzy S.