My Sound of 2012

A year ago I’d written about the selected musicians from BBC Sound of… that were favored to be successful in 2011. Some of the things I liked at that time were fairly successful during the past year. Jessie J, Clare Maguire, The Naked And Famous, The Vaccines, James Blake, Wretch 32 are some of those who had a pretty sensational year.

I’ll try the same this year, except in this blog I’ll give a Top 5 from which I expect a lot during 2012:

1. Frank Ocean is the first one. Only based on the song “Swim Good” I really believe he still has more to give. I don’t have much to write about him, though he is my choice. That song is stuck in my head since I heard it for the first time. This gives me the grounds to claim that this artist might be one of the key figures in 2012. There are many interpretations of the lyrics. Some think it’s about suicide. I think it’s quite the opposite: an attempt to be removed from the past and thrown into the future.

2. Trying to ‘swim well’ I will move on to another name that many are already familiar with. Lana Del Rey. She’s one of those people who look like they’re not missing anything. Her look and voice remind me of documentaries that talk about “ancient” music and movies like “New York, New York.”

I think she has it all and she has shown this, especially with “Born to Die.” On top of the song, her video tell me a lot. Lana is definitively penetrating and powerful. However, in this video there is a moment (1:17) where Lana leaves the impression of a confused, insecure and fragile girl.

As all of us, she was born to die, but Lana is special since she is bringing pleasure along the road.

3. Very close to Lana is Malin Dahlström from Scandinavia. Along with Gustaf Karlöf, she performs under the name Niki And The Dove. I was attracted to her since I heard the song “DJ Ease My Mind” months ago. Mixing electronics with her ​​voice that is suitable for pop music, this duet promises a lot. It is common that musicians from Scandinavian countries aren’t famous throughout the world, but for those who are familiar with the music of groups like Röyksopp, The Knife... I think they should also add to the list Niki And The Dove.

4. Another prediction based on my taste is the band Friends. There are five members from Brooklyn and they launched the single “I’m His Girl,” which made ​​me include them in this blog. They are part of the Top 50 artists of 2011 based on the NME magazine. They describe their genre as “weird pop.” Perhaps it’s too early to favor them, but after a very catchy single, I really expect other similar songs.

5. I will complete the list with a band whose debut album I am looking forward to. Modern Faces are five members from Scotland that are seen as “guardians of British rock ‘n’ roll.” The band leader reminds you of Liam Gallagher’s copy and they admit they started everything due to great influence of Oasis, The Stone Roses and The Verve. I enjoyed their music immensely from the moment I was introduced to them through British newspapers. This happened in July when they supported a performance of Kasabian. During this year I expect that Modern Faces will give a lot and I hope they won’t become one of those groups that are extinguished in their formation, but will prove what is foreseen for them: that they’ll be the new face of rock ‘n’ roll.

Other groups to look out for: The return of the Stone Roses; Coldplay happier and brighter than ever; debuting album from Emeli Sande...

Illustration: Oh Yeah Studio