East West Melody

Mick Jenkins

Cinematic Music Group

Although Mick Jenkins has been active since 2012, this year has marked some great advancements for Jenkins. Releasing his EP The Water[s], Jenkins has now worked with many up-and-coming producers, including fellow EWM-lister KAYTRANADA.

Our end-of-year advice we've taken from good ol' Mick? "Drink more water. Or you might die."

Theophilus London

Warner Bros., Reprise

I guess this is another he's-made-it-should-he-be-on-this-list people but we're going to throw him on here because his most recent album and work with Kanye West was some prime $h!t. Also not to mention his entire Vibes collection with Stüssy. I mean.....that's what we asked Santa for for Christmas.

Advice: "Vibes."

Vic Mensa

Virgin EMI Records

Closely associated with Chace The Rapper, this dude has finally broken on to the scene el solo in 2014. First with "Down On My Luck" and then again with KAYTRANADA-produced "Wimme Nah", it would be ridiculous to have an artist-to-watch list without this gent on it.

Advice: "It’s all in stride. It’s all part of the grind. Part of the hustle. I don’t dislike doing what I gotta do… It’s definitely part of the bag and I’m trying to get the bag."

STWO

HW&W

Alright. Here you go. Pronounciation: stew. Like the kind yo momma (or poppa) makes - hearty and delicious, just like STWO's beats. Hailing from France, STWO's big tunes like "Aura" and "Lovin U" have been on repeat this past year.

Advice: We always thought "S-t-oo" was spelt "Stu" or "Stew", we suppose STWO works too...may we suggest a spelling and grammar lesson? 

Wafia

Australians, tho - are we right or are we right!? Working closely with Japanese Wallpaper and Thrupence, Wafia has put out some great music both collaboratively and solo - especially with her cover version of "Let Me Love You". We can't wait for more - especially since Thrupence is producing her entire EP.

//Fractures

Oz - yet again! Fractures is amazing, straight up. Already sporting an impressive repertoire, songs like "It's Alright", "Won't Win" and his following remixes brought him into the spotlight.

Advice (?): "You won’t win, I’ll rid myself of this war you started… got a pulse, but you seem so heartless."

Thrupence

/ Future Classic /

Jack Vanzet, aka Thrupence, is yet another Australian addition to the artists-to-watch list. We've mentioned Thrupence a few times already, and his release of Lessons (Originals Mixtape 4) is a self-explanatory reason why Thrupence should be on your watchlist.

Advice: "Don't mind People getting in your face. Have this in mind, That really is hard to find"

Hippie Sabotage

This brotherly (literally) dynamic duo has only recently found succes with their remix of Tove Lo's "Habits", but these guys have been around awhile. We're SO happy that on that fateful day Ellie Goulding posted their "Habits" remix on Instagram, otherwise songs like "Waiitng Too Long" wouldn't be able to gain the attention it deserves. So we guess they can thank Ellie Goulding for their appearance on our list...?

Advice: Get your shit reposted by Ellie.

Years & Years

Polydor Records

This English electronic trio recently on tour with Sam Smith is gunna be HUGE on our side of the pond this coming year. Thus, they be on dis list. "Memo" showcased their diverse ability and vocal prowess that is an amalgamation of SO many of our faves.

Oh Wonder

/ Unsigned / 

If you like consistency, you will like these to talented Brits. Their plan to release on song every month for a year has put them in just about everyone's good books. 

Their harmonies are gentle, their lyrics are thoughtful, the beats are smooth, and their cover art is awesome, to boot. 

Advice: We wouldn't hate it if you released two songs a month! 

Ryn Weaver

Add Details here

Where did this girl come from? It seems like she became a celeb overnight. Aryn Wutrich came on to the scene with her big tune "Octahate" which she co-wrote with Charlie XCX, and produced with Cashmere Cat, Benny Blanco, and Passion Pit's Michael Angelakos. How's that for a hit-making team? 

Stacked music making team aside, Ryn's got some pretty serious pipes. Her EP, Promises which she released to SoundCloud has attracted millions of listeners, and she is definitely destined to do great things. Remember the name ya'll. 

Advice: Keep doing what you're doing Aryn, your tracks make people feel good. #vibes 

George Maple

/ future classic. / 

This woman's sweet sweet voice is infectious to say the least. She has a mature and practiced sound that we dig v much.

Most of her tracks start with a club beat and then slow down to expose her sultry vocals. Her break through track "Fixed" epitomizes this 100%. Who can complain about being serenaded to a smooth Euro club BE4T? That's what we thought, no one.

Our fave track from her so far is probably "Vacant Space". 

Advice: Remember everyone, no matter how old or "mature" you are, you can take the girl/boy out of the club, but you can't take the club out of the girl/boy. Enjoy fun music people. 

Vaults

/ Unsigned /

Exquisite is a word that immediately jumps to mind when we think of Vaults. We're having a tough time drudging up info on these catz, but so far we know they're a three-piecer from London, UK who make INCREDIBLE music. They remind us somewhat of London Grammar and The xx, as they definitely have a very lucid, dream-like pop vibe. Definitely give their EP Vultures a listen, certainly worth your while. 

Advice: Get those bugs AWAY from your eyes!!!! (see "Vultures" video)

Josef Salvat

/ Sony Music /

Alright, we've been binging on the female vocalist to watch out for so here's a much needed dose of testosterone for the list. 

This man has a future on the radio. The first track off his EP "Open Season" sears in to your brain. That sounds very intense, but we can't think of another way to convey how catchy this man's music is. 

Salvat has had a big year to say the list, and and even bigger one ahead with his own European tour and all the general things that come along with being signed to one of the largest labels in the world. Give his a whirl everybody! 

Jack Garratt

/ Island Records /

23 year-old vocalist and producer Jack Garratt has the world in zee palm of his hand. His EP Remenant was released this summer and caught the attention of some of the industry's finest, including RIck Ruben. It will be really interesting to see what happens there. 

His style has been called 'balladtronica' (the guardians words, not ours) is smoother than sillllllk. A James Blake, Chet Faker, Bon Iver melange happening perhaps? 

Listen on SoundCloud below.

Advice: The love you take is equal to the love you take right? Let's not forget about the love you're given though, what's that equal to? 

Nick Hakim

/ Earseed Records /

Soul. Vibes. More soul. More vibes. Nick Hakim. Hakim's bio on SoundCloud notes him as being from 'East Coast' United States, so naturally we love him and his music.

His greatest accomplishment this year (in our humble opinions) was the release of his last two EP's on to vinyl, which he creatively titled, Where Will We Go Pt.1 and 2. The compilation resulted in big-ups from Billboard who premiered two of his acoustic performances at their office in Big Apple in late October.

Advice: Beard maintenance is key.   

Låpsley

/ XL Recordings /

Holly Lapsley Fisher is a major talent with a small (but major) EP already out (Monday) and another coming out on January 5! She was the winner of GIT's One to Watch award this year, sooooo watch out for her and her fierce, untainted, b-e-a-tuiful music. 

PS. "Painter (valentine)" is our fave tune, and "Station" makes me cry roughly 8/10 times. 

Advice: What advice can you give to someone who radiates perfection? 

Leon Bridges

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A sound like Leon Bridges' is rare nowadays. His raw, throwback, soul-jams are far too likeable, making anyone with an 'old soul' swoon. He straight up sounds like Sam Cooke. 

Advice: Encourage more artists to make music like yours. 

20syl

/ On and On Records /

20syl makes up his own rules, having defined a new genre known as 'goosebump music' to describe his own. Can't say we're overly familiar with the genre, but if it all sounds like this mighty frenchman's we're more than ok with it. We will admit, certain tracks do give us goosebumps.

 #electronic hip-hop is the theme behind his latest EP Motifs.

He definitely has a soft spot for jazz too. There's a pretty gnarly trumpet solo in "Seven Eleven". He also remixed one of our favourite jazz guys, Gregory Porter. 

Tennyson

/ managed by People's Champ /

Strange, jazzy electronica coming to you straight from Edmonton, Alberta, the buttcrack of western Canada. We are serious when we say Tennyson is the only good thing to come out of Edmonton since the water park opened in 1986.

This brother/sister duo is both creative, good-lookin' and talented. They have a wicked stage presence as well, with brother Luke on the keys and comp, while sister Tess shreds on the drums. 

Advice: Stay awkward guys, it adds to your appeal. #nu jazz

KAYTRANADA

Louis Kevin Celestin, aka KAYTRANADA, has invaded our soundwaves with his mad production skills. With rumours have floated around about his supposed douchebaggery, it's hard to deny his musical ability. Although he's already a world-touring producer and almost everything he touches turns to audible gold, he destined to do much bigger and better things this coming year.

Advice: Be good, but don't be a dick 'bout it.

Tom Misch

We could probably go on and on about Tom Misch. This British phenom was introduced to us back in the early stages of 2014 while we were gallavanting down under. So, needless to say, we may be biased towards him. But at the same time his music is so unique it can't just be us. Tom Misch has created a signature sound for himself with vibey guitar riffs and soft and soothing vocals. If you are a fan of EWM, you have definitely already heard some Tom Misch, but just click listen anyway to keep on enjoying this musician who is sure to keep on truckin' in 2015.

Advice: "The karma police shut me down, stealing you without making a sound. I think of us even today, but losing you was the price I had to pay."

BØRNS

/ The Windish Agency /

The guy with the voice of an angel. When we first heard the voice of Børms, we thought, "wow. this girl is gunna be big. LOVE this song." But then we realized - oh, snap. Hold. The Phone. This is a DUDE. Still awesome - we are highly anticipating his EP.

Advice: Never judge a book by it's cover.

Majid Jordan

OVO Sound / Warner Bros.

Majid Jordan is another gift from the great city of Toronto. Put "Hold On, We're Going Home" on the back burner and pick up thier new EP A Place Like This. Once you've checked that off play the tracks "U" and "Place Like This", those are our faves.

Advice: Boys, make more music videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klgbYfu5MCQ

BadBadNotGood

Innovative Leisure

We know you are all shocked to see that we've put BBNG on this list. As you know we think they're destined to do great things, or so our crystal ball ears are telling us...

They've got a huge record coming out this February with Ghost Face Killah, so er'body stay tuned.

Advice: Take it easy on the lime'a'ritas.