Top Ten Newly Discovered Artists (2009).
I was originally planning to do this tomorrow; however, the post I was doing for today was EATEN BY LJ and I couldn't face having to type it up again, so I finished up this one instead!
I've seen a lot of posts lately with people's favourite songs of the year (one of my favourites was captaincatapult's fantastic 'singles of the year' post) but I haven't found anyone who's done a post like this: I picked my favourite artists who I discovered in the last twelve months, no matter how long they've been active in the music industry, then chose my top two/three songs by them.
I'm hoping to introduce people to some wonderful music that maybe they haven't heard before. There are some 'popular' artists in there too, though!
Go under the cut to see who I picked! I also picked some 'runners-up' and linked to my favourite song from each one.
.ZIP FILE WITH EVERYTHING IN IT
Runners-up (in no particular order):
Mat Kearney - All I Need
Lauren Pritchard - As Shadows Do
Kerli - Walking on Air
Dar Williams (feat. Ani DiFranco) - Comfortably Numb
Ani DiFranco - You Had Time
Cary Brothers - Ride
Kevin Rudolf - She Can Get It
Langhorne Slim - I Love You, But Goodbye
Say Hi - Maurine
Sia - Breathe Me
Van Morrison - Someone Like You || These Are The Days (joint favourites - I just couldn't pick!)
TOP TEN
10. Natalie Merchant
My favourite thing about Natalie Merchant is the way her songs never fail to break my heart, particularly the ones I've recced. Her voice is so vulnerable and fragile in places and complements so perfectly with the piano. My Skin is one that I've been able to identify with a lot this past year and it's one of those songs that you just have to listen to with your eyes closed to get all the little moments with both her voice and the instrumental music in the background. I just always think of a dark, quiet street with very few streetlights when I hear her music. Maybe sitting on a bench, maybe it's raining. Either way, there's an ache to her music that's indescribably beautiful.
My Skin - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
Beloved Wife - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
9. Matt Nathanson
Matt has such a gentle voice, yet there is so much emotion behind it, and occasionally yearning. The kind of music that starts out slow and consistent but then, when it crescendos, makes you smile so hard your face hurts and your heart just leaps and swells. It makes me think of dancing, and hands in the small of your back, and sweetness and innocence.
Come On, Get Higher - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
I Saw - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
8. Iron & Wine
Iron & Wine has such an organic sound, like gold grain and green fields, and Sam Beam has a lovely, soothing voice - he always sounds so reflective, like he's recalling some of his favourite memories. The Trapeze Swinger has what I think is one of the most charmingly simple lyrics ever - I heard from someone you're still pretty - and it takes me by surprise, every time, and I can picture everything, the maps and the graffiti and the hands between knees, and above all, wanting to remember. And Such Great Heights is one of those songs that makes me think of the first time you fall in love. Just lovely.
The Trapeze Swinger - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
Such Great Heights - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
7. Cat Power
I love Cat's voice, it's got that cracked, dreamy sound that makes some of her songs sound like she's broken, a little bit. The Greatest has a hopeless air about it, about losing someone or something and feeling terrible and lonely and thinking, once I wanted to be the greatest, and I always feel like I want to add and I could have to that particular lyric. Sea of Love is different in a way, but I still feel that it's got that vulnerable quality and does this person feel the same way? I think of walking and holding hands and the way your heart leaps into your mouth right before you say 'I love you'.
The Greatest - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
Sea of Love - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
6. Ellie Goulding
I love Ellie's electropop kind of sound, and the hint of electronic elements in her music - I think captaincatapult said it best: that her voice is ethereal. I always feel that it has a sweetness about it too, especially in Black and Gold, and I love the echoes too - such a unique twist that she brought to this song. I am so excited to hear more from Ellie and I feel that she's going to be really successful in the coming years.
Wish I Stayed - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
Black and Gold - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
5. Thriving Ivory
My favourite thing about Thriving Ivory is the way their music builds and builds until it's barely containable, and I feel that this is most clearly shown in Flowers for a Ghost - layers and layers of music are added, then for brief moments it's stripped bare, then explodes and the repetition of the lyrics serves to show the... desperation? Saying, Hey, I can't do this alone. Mostly I think about running in the darkness during these songs, running till you're out of breath and your chest is straining, but the pain feels weirdly, pretty good. The songs give me the same strained feeling.
Flowers for a Ghost - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
Angels on the Moon - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
4. SafetySuit
I always feel that SafetySuit has an almost reverent air to their music, like you're speaking to someone you love and they are right there. I always think of being in a messy bedroom in pyjamas or something, and I always think of hands in hair and grabbing someone's hand and saying stay. Their music always feels so honest and really emotional in terms of love and affection and need.
Anywhere But Here - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
Stay - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
3. Lady GaGa
I love Lady GaGa. I discovered her in January, I think, and I just fell in love with the fun, poppish, bouncy elements of her music. I love that she is who she is and does what she wants - I think that's awesome and I respect it so much. I love her lyrics, and the hooks of her music are just so catchy. I have to listen to her music again and again, and I always get images of flashing lights behind my eyelids, like my own private fireworks display. I also love that she arranges her songs differently for each performance, and wears clothes she's had a hand in designing - even if some of her outfits are completely crazy! Her voice, when it's not been autotuned, is also really excellent (her version of Imagine is wonderful). I think she's one of the most truly original artists out there today.
Bad Romance - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
Poker Face - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
2. Taylor Swift
I don't know how I managed to miss Taylor when she first started singing, but I'm glad I became aware of her this year - I feel that she epitomizes exactly what it's like to be a teenager, and her songs might be about simple things, but she expresses those things (that seem so small to adults) just the way we view them as teenagers - break-up angst and falling in love for the first time and that guy you want to talk to. I feel like she's one of very few artists who sing about these simple things and is still so relevant to teens today - I love that she doesn't make 'trashy' music; as much as I love that kind of music, I love this change I get with Taylor. Mostly I love that she draws on her own experiences in order to write her songs, and they are always written so well. I always feel that within her music are sweetness and loneliness and growth and tiny glances that mean the world.
Teardrops On My Guitar - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
White Horse - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
Forever and Always (Piano Version) - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
1. Barcelona
I'm a little surprised that Barcelona have made it to number 1, especially since I only fell in love with them a month or so ago (thanks to flying_peanuts!). Almost every time I listen to them (and most especially with the three listed songs) I get this ache in my chest and at this one line in Get Up, Get Up, Get Up I always, literally, gasp. It's after the Get Up repetition starts and after the fourth one, the I need you that drifts in and grows and builds until the final piano note. The first time I heard it I enjoyed the song but didn't think it was anything particularly special - until that last part. I sat in silence for about ten minutes, basically unable to move or do anything except revel in the way that song made me feel - it just feels uplifting, in a way, like they're saying get up, you can do it, there's all these people that need you - I need you. Mostly, this song has got me through a lot in the past two months. Please Don't Go is another one that I can particularly relate to - needing someone in a way that probably isn't entirely healthy, and being unable to let go. Barcelona is another group that I feel have to be listened to in the dark, with headphones on, as loudly as possible in order to get the full experience. I still feel numb, in the very best of ways, after I listen to them.
In short, this music in expressably gorgeous and lyrically insanely brilliant, and the piano is perfect, and if there are any songs that you download, it should be these three.
First Floor People - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
Please Don't Go - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
Get Up, Get Up, Get Up - LISTEN // DOWNLOAD
Hope you enjoy the music and please let me know if you download and what your opinion is!! I'd love to know whether you agree/disagree or have any music recs.