Hot For 2018: International Ones To Watch

Anteros

“Charmingly naive” might sound like a back-handed compliment, if not a straight-up insult, in 2017. It’s also an apt description for the retro pop of this London band, fronted by Barcelona-raised Laura Hayden. She grew up worshipping Gwen Stefani and Stevie Nicks – though Blondie and early Blur are influences too. Anteros have had an interesting apprenticeship: their first gig, at a London bar in 2015, was interrupted by a vagrant grabbing the mic to tell a rude joke.

Hear: Single ‘Breakfast’ suggests a cyberpunk Blondie.

See: Their video to early single ‘Fade To Grey’ (not a Visage cover).

False Heads

Iggy Pop is a fan of this Essex trio who describe their sound as “crack rock” – and whose single ‘Weigh In’ sounds like the best ever battle of the bands contest struggling to be heard over an incoming hurricane.

Hear: Gut-punching ‘Twentynothing’ – like Blur’s ‘Song 2’ having an emotional breakdown.

See: A 28 minute live performance, recorded at Pirate Studios Sheffield.

Jessie Reyez

After several years of bland, blokey newcomers, it’s heartening to see female artists dominate our 2018 shortlist. None are more uncompromising than this Colombian-Canadian performer, who delivers devastating home truths about what it takes to get ahead in the entertainment industry on her single ‘Gatekeeper’. Post-Weinstein, her message hits twice as hard.

Hear: ‘Hard To Love’ – a blistering collaboration with Calvin Harris

See: ‘The Gatekeeper’ video is visceral, with an important message about the entrenched misogyny of the pop industry.

The Aces

Potentially the biggest musical act to come out of Utah since Imagine Dragons, this all-girl four piece specialise in catchy and cheerfully commercial pop – they have not been unaware of the rise of Haim – with charismatic front woman Cristal Ramirez another Brandon Flowers in the making.

Hear: Cooly funky single ‘Stuck’.

See: Their acoustic cover of Outkast’s ‘Hey Ya’, available on the ‘In Bed With’ YouTube channel.

EarthGang

Atlanta rap has been among the most exciting forces in hip hop for going on a decade now, and duo Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot – we’ll have to look it up but probably not their real names – have been scene regulars going back to 2010. Following in the footsteps of contemporaries Migos, they’re finally blowing up and 2018 is expected to be the year it all happens for the pair.

Hear: Single ‘Robots’ is the all the introduction you need.

See: A live version of ‘Artificia’, on the Vevo YouTube channel.

Stereo Honey

With just two singles released, the London four-piece were snapped up by the same management company that has shepherded Placebo and the soon-to-be-tragically-defunct Wild Beasts (sooob). Their music is just as original and eclectic – with lyrics that veer beyond the usual romantic platitudes (single ‘The Heart’ touches on domestic abuse).

Hear: ‘The Heart’ – swirling, strange, yet making immediate sense.

See: ‘The Bay’, performed on Distillery TV YouTube channel.

Yonaka

Nirvana fronted by Charli XCX is obviously the best idea ever and it’s one Theresa Jarvis and the rest of Brighton’s Yonaka explore with maximum gusto. Electro-pop-meets-grunge single ‘Bubblegum’ is a signpost as to what they’re about.

Hear: ‘Bubblegum’ – a musical kick in the nads not to be forgotten in a hurry.

See: ‘Ignorance’, performed live at Sofar Studios London.