With the dust now settled from the new year, Fortitude Magazine looks forward to a year of new, exciting music releases from a wide range of artists. Here are 10 picks for that are likely going to soundtrack your 2019.
070 Shake – Key track “I Laugh When I’m With Friends, But Sad When I’m Alone”
2018 saw New Jersey rapper/singer 070 Shake release her solo ep Glitter and receive critical acclaim for her vocal performances on some of Kanye West’s “Wyoming” records. Creating moody rap with a strong, emotive voice, she is a bright talent with aims to release her debut album, currently under the working title Yellow Girl, in 2019.
Black Midi – Key Track – “bmbmbm”
Compelling South London group Black Midi are definitely a band to keep an eye on this year, as whilst they have largely shied away from the allure of a promotional presence online, they are being hyped as one of the best new bands in the country through their abrasive and abstract concoction of math/noise rock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeJAiDergcc
Dermot Kennedy – Key Track – “Power Over Me”
The exceptional voice of Irish singer/songwriter Dermot Kennedy has already proved popular over the last 12 months, and 2019 could be the singer-songwriter’s biggest year yet as the music he has showcased so far – modern beats with folksy instrumentation and a powerhouse vocal sounding ready for the radio.
Fontaines DC – Key Track – “Too Real”
Dublin post-punk five-piece Fontaines D.C. are embarking on a sold out tour of the UK in April, after a few years of bubbling in the underground resulted in a standout 2018 which saw them release a handful of well received singles, hopefully some of which will feature alongside other intelligent and agitated tracks on an EP or full album in 2019.
Fredo – Key Track – “Survival of The Fittest”
After building up a following for a few years, London rapper Fredo broke out into the mainstream last year with his team up with Dave on the number one single “Funky Friday”, and more chart bangers are expected to follow along with his debut album “Third Avenue” in the first half of 2019.
King Princess – Key Track – “Talia”
The 20 year old multi-instrumentalist from Brooklyn released her debut E.P. Make My Bed back in June 2018, and looks likely to continue to build on her glossy pop sound complete with affective, evocative lyrics and smooth vocals.
The Murder Capital – Key Track – “Feeling Fades”
Ireland features again with post-punk rock band The Murder Capital, who have only just released their debut single “Feeling Fades” and yet are already being tipped by many to be a group to watch in 2019, following in the footsteps of fellow neo-post punk bands such as IDLES and Shame.
No Rome – Key Track – “Seventeen”
After the release of his E.P. “RIP Indo Hisashi” the 21 year old looks likely to further cement his place as one of pop’s most exciting emerging figures in 2019, through his clean and dreamy blend of RnB and electro pop, which recently gained the attention of fellow modern pop maestros The 1975, which led to a collaboration on the track “Narcissist”.
Octavian – Key Track – “Party Here”
The winner of BBC’s Sound of 2019, Octavian’s exposure to the masses occurred when he dropped “Party Here” in 2017. The track states “Your gonna blow it’s just timing” and this year looks like it’s the right time for the France-born Londoner who combines elements of gritty and confessional rap with interesting and eclectic instrumentation choices.
Slowthai – Key Track – “Doorman”
Northampton raised rapper Slowthai looks forward to a promising year after dropping his Runt EP back in September 2018. He gained coverage earlier in the year with “T N Biscuits” and for his raw delivery, clever lyrics and chaotic live performances, which look certain to follow this year with a UK tour and album tentatively titled Nothing Great About Britain.