HOT FOR 2017: International acts looking to break through this year

DECLAN MCKENNA

If the thought of checking out a lad born in 1998 doesn’t make you shudder – and it shouldn’t – then listen up, because the 18-year-old is a pretty singular proposition. Take early cut ‘Brazil’ for starters, an indie-pop earwig tackling the corruption at the heart of the Fifa World Cup. ‘Paracetamol’ was an indictment of coverage of transgender issues, ‘Isombard’ took on the right-wing media, and ‘Bethlehem’ waded into the sedate and tranquil discussion of religion. McKenna’s love for taboo subjects might make him a somewhat imperfect dinner party guest, but a wisdom well beyond his years means his tunes are mature, eye-opening, and incredibly exciting. The masterful James Ford has overseen the creation of his debut full-length effort, which might be one of the summer’s biggest.
HEAR: His work at soundcloud.com/deccoooo
SEE: The video for breakthrough hit ‘Brazil’ on YouTube

DAN OWEN

In a delightful meeting of old and new, the Shrewsbury troubadour’s first claim to fame was a viral video of his take on early Dylan tune ‘Ballad Of Hollis Brown’. Earning him the nickname ‘Blues Boy’, it also won him an impressive mentor in Mick Fleetwood, who eagerly took the youngster under his wing. Making Nashville his recording home, a pair of EPs – 2015’s Bad For Me and last year’s Open Hands And Enemies – helped his reputation grow, but it’s live performances that have really set tongues wagging. As luck would have it, a chest infection set in just in time to cause the cancellation of an Irish tour in December – but, with assurances that replacement dates will be arranged post haste, our chance to experience his velvety vocals and exemplary musicianship up close shouldn’t be too far away.
HEAR: His Open Hands And Enemies EP on Spotify
SEE: The video for ‘Made To Love You’ on YouTube

RAG‘N’BONE MAN

He might not be your typical precocious newcomer – aged 31, he’s been making music in one form or another since his teens – but the hip-hop influenced bluesman christened Rory Graham is poised to become one of the year’s biggest acts. His debut album Human is slated for release in February, with the title track already having topped singles charts across Europe. For good measure, Jools Holland and the BBC are among his high profile cheerleaders. And, as the most significant sign of things to come, he finished 2016 by scooping the Brits Critics’ Choice award; that same gong launched the careers of Adele, Florence + the Machine and Sam Smith, which gives you some idea of the success expected for the big man.
HEAR: His offerings at soundcloud.com/ragnbonemanuk
SEE: ‘Human’ paired with a cracking video on YouTube

RAY BLK

Her coronation as the BBC Music Sound of 2017 poll-winner is proof enough that the smart money is on this South Londoner making the big breakthrough. Blessed with the sort of gritty voice that made Lauryn Hill a star, and sharing Amy Winehouse’s gift for working soul and jazz influences into something new and fresh, her music screams authenticity. She writes of teen pregnancies, takeaway chicken spots, and anything else you might see on the streets of Lewisham. That she does so while wrapping it all up in charm, wit and persuasive melodies only elevates things further – and that’s before you reckon with the likes of Stormzy and Wretch 32 popping up on last year’s mini-album Durt. While entirely deserving of the prestigious gong, she hardly needed Auntie Beeb’s blessing – the revolution is already well underway.
HEAR: Mini-album Durt in full at soundcloud.com/rayblk
SEE: The promo for the outstanding ‘5050’ on YouTube

RAYE

While heads will be turned by her status as a product of the famous BRIT School – where she answered roll call to Rachel Keen – the Londoner was destined for great things from an early age. Born into a massively musical family, she commenced writing at the age of 10. Still just 18, she’s already built up a heck of a Filofax, recording with Stormzy and writing with Charli XCX, who even took on directorial duties for the video to ‘I, U, Us’. Her EPs – 2014’s Welcome To The Winter and last year’s SECOND – are thrilling collections of electro-infused R&B, which have earned her a deal with Polydor and landed her front and centre of many tastemakers’ forecasts of charttoppers for the foreseeable future.
HEAR: Her EPs at soundcloud.com/arayeofcolours
SEE: The chilly video for ‘I, U, US’ on YouTube