QR Music: 2018, The Year Of
If you were paying attention at all during 2017, you were probably left with a slightly bitter taste in your mouth and a desire for some sort of global revolution. We can't guarantee you one, but what we can promise is that 2018 will be another year of phenomenal new music. 2017 was, if nothing else, the year of the debut album, the year of the indie resurgence, the year of musicians stepping up when politicians and the media did not. Now more than ever, music feels important, accessible, political in energy if not in content; a feeling that we hope runs through the coming year, too. By no means an extensive list, we present a small sample of who is set to make 2018 theirs. This, is the year of...
Our Girl
Brighton trio Our Girl made some truly beautiful garage-rock noise on their EP Normally released through Cannibal Hymns in 2016. Touring a very mesmerising set supporting Marika Hackman and playing their own headline shows last year set them in good stead to release their debut album sometime this year (may I suggest they name it Finally).
Black Honey
Any song from Black Honey’s discography to date could and should play while the credits roll for the next Tarantino movie - and with Patmore Photography’s snaps chronicling their tour adventures, you could be fooled into thinking they’re starring in one, too. The band have released an endless stream of EPs, toured relentlessly with the likes of Royal Blood and Dream Wife- and still, no album as yet. For now, we’ll have to make do with singles thrown like scraps to keep us at bay while we wait for a full-length of Izzy’s sticky, raspy vocals, i.e. the only thing could soundtrack the turn-around we so desperately need in 2018.
Dream Wife
Started as a kind of pseudo-band for an art school project, Dream Wife soon realised they were, in fact, rather quite good. Their debut self-titled album came out last Friday, with sharp riffs and lyrics importantly addressing the issue of sexual harassment at gigs in Somebody and instant crowd pleaser Hey Heartbreaker standing out from an overall brilliant track-list.
Isaac Gracie
2016’s Songs from My Bedroom was an acoustic, lo-fi EP with all the lovely rough edges that make Isaac Gracie’s songwriting so poignant. Isaac goes on tour at the end of January, and taking to the otherwise empty stage accompanied only by his red telecaster, his performance isn’t one you’ll leave behind easily.
The Japanese House
Dirty Hit’s impressive roster of artists is defining the sound of contemporary independent music, and Amber Bain’s electronic dream-pop project is certainly among the most promising. Of the four EP’s released to date, including the stunningly produced Saw You In A Dream, each is deeply thoughtful and resonant. Still, sadly overlooked sometimes is Bain’s own input on the production of her EPs due to the involvement of rather well-known label-mates The 1975. A debut album has been confirmed for this year, though The Japanese House’s mysterious social media activity (a string of photos taken by Bain and captioned with just a corresponding number) only adds to the elusiveness and speculation that has surrounded the project from its beginnings.
Billie Eilish
At just 16 years old, LA singer-songwriter Billie Eilish has already used the past year to show us that she’s here to save pop music with her maturity, depth, and wit (for proof, see her twitter account). Her songs Bellyache, Ocean Eyes and Bored were among the biggest tracks of 2017 - a mere taster of what’s to come.
Anteros
Self-proclaimed ‘bitter dream-pop’ outfit Anteros have released nothing but a stream of indie club bangers so far, making a name from themselves around the UK having headlined the likes of London’s Heaven last year. With their brash guitars and frontwoman Laura Hayden’s Debbie Harry-esque stage presence, their festivals sets aren’t to be missed this summer.
Brand New Friend
A month into 2018, QR favourites and the North of Ireland’s own indie dream-team Brand New Friend have already played a sold out headline show with more to come in the spring. A debut album has been recorded and is set for release through Xtra Mile Records at the end of the year, capturing all the raucous energy of their live shows.
Sigrid
Norwegian singer-songwriter Sigrid needs very little introduction after 2017’s Don’t Kill My Vibe catapulted her to the highest ranks of pop royalty. A hype you should definitely believe, tickets for her next tour are few and far between - and for good reason.
Pale Waves
Yet another member of the Dirty Hit family, Pale Waves will release their All The Things I Never Said EP in March. Expect jarring energy and catchy dream-pop melodies.
By Addison Paterson