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Glasswerk Staff Ones To Watch 2013

• 7th Jan 2013

2012 was one of the strongest years in recent memory for new releases and diamonds in the rough, so here at Glasswerk HQ we relished diving into our inbox every day to unearth gem after gem from the mountains of brand new music we got sent our way. Alongside music from some of the biggest acts in the world, we pride ourselves on bringing our readers the best in brand new music way before you’ll be hearing it anywhere else, so in keeping with the New Year tradition of compiling endless lists, here are the Glasswerk Staff’s Top 10 Ones To Watch for 2013.

Acres Of Lions (Jamie Otsa – Editor)
If you’re a regular reader you’ll already be familiar with this Victoria, British Columbia based four-piece who set our Intrigue Alarm off with their superb sophomore album ‘Collections’ last year. We haven’t stopped banging on about them since and we’re betting that they’re going to be receiving a lot more backing this year when they hopefully venture over to UK shores.

Listen to ‘Reactions’ here:

Natalie Duncan (Mat Ong – MD)
Already gaining backing from BBC Radio 2 after dueting with pintsize jazz maestro Jamie Cullum on his show, classically trained singer songwriter and pianist Natalie Duncan is an undoubted talent with a soulful voice and deft touch on the keys that should see her clawing her way to success in 2013.

Listen to ‘Devil In Me’ album sampler here:

Neck Deep (Hannah Gillicker – writer)
They keep saying pop punk’s not dead, well here’s your proof. An underground sensation towards the back end of 2012, Neck Deep have come from nowhere to being one of the most talked about and hottest acts on the underground UK pop punk scene. Honest, hard working, fun – the pop punk Trifecta in action. Expect big things.

Listen to ‘What Did You Expect’ here:

AlunaGeorge (Roisin Deady – writer)
AlunaGeorge, made up of Aluna Francis (vocals) and George Reid (Music), are a London based duo who have put their own stamp on electronic music, by infusing it with elements of R&B, bass, garage & pop. Currently signed to Island Records, their unique style has produced a captivating outlook on the electronic music scene today. Their debut single, ‘You Know You Like It’ and their follow-up EP ‘Your Drums, Your Love’, provided us with a perfect blend of R&B and electro-pop perfection. The duo have recently been shortlisted for the ‘2013 Brits Critics Choice Award’ and are currently supporting brotherly duo ‘Disclosure’ ahead of their own headline gigs early next year.

Listen to ‘Your Drums, Your Love’ here:

METZ (Ben Tipple – writer)
METZ’s debut self titled album has received extremely high praise from both sides of the Atlantic. Many see the band to be re-inventing a timeless sound and capturing the visceral intensity of those early Sub Pop signings that irreversibly changed music forever. They’ve been turning venues, record stores, skate shops and warehouses into chaotic sweat-boxes with their live shows for the past 3 years, and they’re coming back to the UK to turn it upside down this January.

Listen to ‘Wet Blanket’ here:

Palma Violets (Chris Watson – writer)
NME’s new sweethearts are already scooping up their fair share of teenage hipster fans and are topped a whole load of Best Of 2012 lists alongside contemporaries Haim (whom you may recognise from the BBC Sound Of 2013 poll). If you thought UK guitar indie was dead and done, think again.

Listen to a live Maida Vale session here:

Die Antwoord (Jamie Otsa – editor)
Just about ready to crawl out from their schizo-art-noise-rap rock come this frightening and beguiling two piece from the heart of South Africa – world, believe us, you aren’t ready to pick up what Die Antwoord are putting down. Already beginning to cross over into mainstream consciousness and picking up a staggering half a million Facebook fans, their self proclaimed “zef rap rave” is turning heads fast.

Listen to ‘Zef Town Juke’ here:

Roses Gabor (Roisin Deady – writer)
After making quite an impression by lending her vocals to big names such as Shy FX ‘Raver’, Gorillaz ‘Dare’, Redlight ‘Stupid’ and SBTRKT’s ‘Pharaohs’, singer/songwriter Roses Gabor has delivered an impressive debut solo release with ‘Stars’. Continuing with her underground vibe, Gabors vocals shine through this atmospheric track, filled with eclectic beats and synth samples. ‘Stars’ is produced by Bristol House producer Redlight (Get Out My Head, Lost In Your Love) and was released in November through Toddla T’s label ‘Girls Music’. Be sure to check out her Mixtape ‘The Wonderful World of Roses Gabor’ produced by UK DJ/Producer Martelo, which features her previous collaborations, including Dizzee Rascal and Hudson Mohawke.

Listen to ‘Night Sky’ here:

Letlive. (Abi Skrypec – writer)
Undoubtedly ready to take the next step in their career and smash this year apart with a very large sledge hammer made of riffs, Letlive. are one of the most incendiary and provocative bands we’ve had the pleasure of covering over the past few years. Finding their home with legendary punk label Epitaph, it surely can’t be long before this band realise their ambition and deliver a knock-out mainstream crossover album.

Listen to ‘Renegade 86’ here:

Lauren Aquilina (Mat Ong – MD)
Championed by BBC Introducing in 2012, this 17 year old singer songwriter from Bristol is taking the Lucy Rose and Laura Marling road to success and touting some heavyweight radio friendly and saccharine folk-pop. Already selling out dates on her debut tour in February, there’s no doubt in our minds that we’ll be seeing a lot more from the young Ms. Aquilina this year.

Listen to ‘Fools’ here: