What are we going to listen in 2016? On which artists should we keep an eye? (uhm… or ear, most likely) A round in the Rockstone edit room resulted in this promising list. This is the Rockstone Sessions Sound of 2016!

 

Rationale

Aww yeah, from the first second, Fast Lane will hook you to the sound of London-based artist Rationale. He is already been called the ‘new’ Drake or Morrissey so no doubt we are going to hear from him next year. His voice and music are hypnotically smooth and chill and you just want to put his latest single Fast Lane on repeat.

NAO

NAO drops a wonkey-funk vibe with her absolute unique voice. She already appeared in a staff pick of Rockstone Sessions and you might know her from covering Thinking bout you with Mura Masa. If you are into alternative hip-hop music, definitely give NAO a try!

Kiiara

Kiiara is one of the power women that are just doing their thing. What her thing is? Making straight hipster-music together with producer Felix Snow (Leona Lewis, Nicole Scherzinger) Her song ‘Gold’ is energetic, give it a spin and you’ll know what I mean.

The Japanese House

19- year old Singer/producer Amber Bain, aka The Japanese House makes beautiful, fragile music. Her second released EP Clean is an apology to a friend and is about getting rid of guilt to feel like a good person again. Her lyrics are often difficult to understand right away because she uses her voice and words like an instrument. In this meditative song Amber Bain only shows only a little piece of what she’s capable of. Very worth too check out the rest of her work.

Retiree

This Aussie-band makes songs that sound like cocktails on the beach. Awesome right? The experimental pop, mixed with a bit of disco influences make a smooth sound.

Anderson. Paak

Born and raised in Oxnard, California, Anderson Paak started playing music as a drummer in the choir of the church. Everyone starts somewhere, and Anderson Paak did, with succes, ’cause years later he appeared on in a few songs on the album Compton by Dr.Dre. He was already producing his solo album, Venice, which came out in 2015. He blends R&B, hip-hop and electronic elements and mixes old school 70’s sound with the beats from new Low end Theory-scene from Los Angeles. Because of his new sound Anderson.Paak is definitely an artist to keep an eye on!

Tsar B

This melancholic, cumbersome rhythmic music by Brussels-based, Tsar B (Justine Bourgeus) is a blend of R&B, hip-hop and Arabic influences. Where this Eastern inspiration came from? In an interview with Justine Bourgeus she mentioned that she saw the movie ‘Aladdin’ when she was younger and this sound always stayed on her mind. We are happy she saw the movie, that resulted in Tsar B releasing the single Escalate.

Shawn Mendez

This is probably the youngest artist in this whole list: Shawn Mendez 17-years old, from Canada. We are not the first, and will definitely not be the last, calling this guy the new Justin Bieber. Fun fact, Mendez is the first teen that became famous via the six-seconds-video channel ‘Vines’ and his most watched video is a cover of Justin Bieber’s ‘As long as you love me.’ We are going to hear from this guy, that’s for sure.

Son Mieux

A band we saw before at Rockstone Sessions! (Click here, to see the session!) Son Mieux makes catchy pop-music that breathes Spring. This band is pretty busy winning prices (the 3FM Serious Talent, Haagse Popprijs ) and performing. Our crew is sure about it, 2016 is going to be the year of Son Mieux!

Maala

“This guys should get international attention!” commented a Youtuber to the video of In the Air. Maala is quite an unknown band from New Zealand, which makes folktronic-music. (Yes, we founded this word especially for bands/artists that produce this sound) Though New Zealand is far away, we hope that Maala will soon end up doing a Europe-tour!

BØRNS

We also have an indie-rock artist for you, of course! Garreth Borns from Michigan makes catchy songs, with a pinch of electro, psychedelic elements.

Halsey

Halsey, the alias of New York based Ashley Frangipane, makes dark-gritty electro pop. She already is being compared with artists like CHVRCHES and Lorde. Curious what this promising artist sounds like, live? Halsey is doing a tour through Europe and Australia.

Jack Garratt

It is really impressive to see Jack Garratt performing live. With a guitar around his neck, a keyboard, drum pad and microphone in front of him, he is a multi-talented ‘one man band’. In November he was named ‘Brits Critics Choice’ winner of 2016 and he will release his album ‘Phase’ in February. We can’t wait!

Goldlink

‘Future Bounce’ that is what we should call the sound of D’Anthony Carlos (GoldLink) according to him. Besides that you could also call it hip-house, dance and that sort of genres, future bounce, fits pretty well! Keep it in mind, ’cause this guy is making you dance, untill you hear the ingenious fast way he pronounces his lyrics, and of course, then you dance on.

Woaah, almost like unwrapping gifts 🙂 We are already excited for what is yet to come in 2016! Follow the playlist to listen to the Rockstone Sessions sound of 2016!