Sweet Sounds – The Best Breakout Acts of the Year

1. Fun 

These New York City alt-rockers burst on to the scene earlier this year with the anthemic ‘We Are Young’, featuring fellow breakout star Janelle Monae.  Released in September of last year in the US, the song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and got the Glee treatment from the stars of the hit Fox show. The ‘Some Nights’ album is one of our favourites so far this year, and they’re coming to play an Irish gig in Dublin this October. We’ll be up the front…

 

2. Emeli Sandé

We can’t even type ‘Next To Me’ without the song lodging itself in our brains for the rest of the afternoon. Emeli Sandé hit the charts in August of last year with ‘Heaven’ and ever since then she seems to have become a fixture on Irish radio with multiple standout tunes from her debut album ‘Our Version Of Events’. Trivia – her first name is actually Adele, but in fairness that was kind of taken already by another singer, you might have heard of her?

 

3. Gotye

You might not be able to pronounce his name, but chances are you’ll know every word to at least one of his songs. Belgian-Australian star Gotye was a relative unknown in these parts until he paired up with New Zealand artist Kimbra to record ‘Somebody I Used To Know’. Released in February, it is without doubt the most ubiquitous song of the year thus far; there was absolutely no escaping that catchy chorus.

 

4. Lana Del Rey

This time last year we were hearing the first mumblings about a certain Ms. Lana Del Rey. The world seemed to fall in love immediately with both her voice and her style, but poor Lana had a fall from grace just as quick with many calling her fake, and worse. We’re thinking never mind the haters Lana, and anyone who gets a Mulberry bag named after them is A-OK with us.

 

5. Maverick Sabre

In July 2011 Maverick Sabre’s first single ‘Let Me Go’ hit the airwaves, and since then the English-Irish musician has seen in star in ascent. His debut album ‘Lonely Are The Brave’ won rave reviews both here and across the pond for his soulful but street sound. He’s still only twenty-one years old, and we see a big future ahead for Michael Stafford. We like the name change though, go Maverick!