ARTISTS OF 2015

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THE forteloud FAMILY'S

ARTISTS OF 2015

CHARLOTTE// Ben Howard



This year I’m finding it a real struggle to decide on my Artist of the Year. Last year was easier – I was introduced to Keaton Henson, and was (and still am) obsessed with his music. However, the artist I always go back to listen to, every time, is Ben Howard. Although his second album was released late into 2014, it took me a little while to actually listen to it properly – I was still too obsessed with listening to Burgh Island and Every Kingdom. And then, finally, I listened to I Forget Where We Were, and I am still listening to it now. The progression of his work is phenomenal. His new style, although darker than his first album, is immense, and seeing him play it live is amazing. I was lucky enough to see him live twice this year: once in April in Newcastle and the second time when he headlined for Citadel Festival in August, both were amazing gigs and very different to the first time I saw him live in 2012. The style of Burgh Island and I Forget Where We Were leads on to create an entirely different atmosphere live, than the first album does - especially in the way the he plays his music.  Even now, a year later, I am still constantly listening to his music and I still find new elements within it that I love. So for that reason, he’s my Artist of 2015.  

 

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JAMIE// Vance Joy



For ages Vance Joy was to me that guy who released that catchy song about a “lady running down to the riptide.” I heard it countless times on Radio X, sung along aimlessly to the lyrics but never bothered to look up any other songs Vance had written. But in 2014 I went to Vance’s gig with a friend (on a whim) in Shepherds Bush, London. The entire venue was packed to the brim with people and at the time I remember feeling shocked as I didn’t realise he had such a huge following. But once the gig started I realised exactly why so many people were there; he was perfection. The crowd was so silent during Red Eye, the sort of memorising silence where you could hear a pin drop, but then transformed into a dance party during Riptide clapping and singing along. Having not really been a fan of Vance beforehand I must say his gig was impressive and so memorable.

Since then, well for the whole of 2015 in fact, I have enjoyed countless commutes listening to his album Dream Your Life Away. It is so chilled and romantic. Every time I listen to it I am as captivated as I was when I first saw him live. My particular favourite songs on the album include First Time, Mess Is Mine and Fire and the Flood. First Time really related to a particular time in my life (I remember being freaked out as he was basically singing my story) and Fire and the Flood is a complete and utter jam, literally can’t sit still listening to the chorus (Yes I have had a few quizzical looks on the train…)

Dream Your Life Away was actually released in 2014 but I chose him for my Artist of 2015 as this year was when he really rose to fame. He gained the hearts of all Swiftys in the UK when not only did Taylor Swift cover his song (Riptide for BBC’s live lounge) and he covered her 'I Know Places' in return, but he also toured on her massive 1989 European tour along with James Bay. Vance, a guy who’s career only really set off a few years ago when he was signed to Atlantic, has really come a long way! In 2015 he was also voted 'Best Male Artist' for ARIA Music Awards and even wrote a song for one of the best selling films of 2015, Paper Towns. I genuinely think Vance Joy can only go upwards from here, and I honestly cannot wait to see what he has to offer in 2016. In the meantime, don’t mind me while I listen to Dream Your Life Away another thousand times… 


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LUKE// Black Peaks



*Honorable mention to Press to Meco here, who I awarded with my song of the year, and probably will give my album of the year to as well (I haven’t decided yet, it’s a tricky one)*.

There’s a really common thread that happens to a lot of the bands I’m really enjoying at the moment. It’s a sequence of events that always seems to occur, and an aura that is created as a consequence. It goes something like this, although it’s a very rough guide:
  • The band will release a single or two, which creates some buzz for them, but not a crazy-high amount.
  • The band gets onto a few tours, some of them supporting larger artists, some just for themselves, and their social media attention subtly improves.
  • The band releases another single, which gets considerably more buzz than their last few.
  • Radio play – big deal, particularly Radio 1, which happened for many of the bands that experienced this thread of events.

There’s a phrase for this thread of events – ‘making it’. Bands who happen to have all of these things happen in a short space of time are ‘making it’, i.e. growing in statue, and really starting to make waves towards being a ‘big’ band, whatever ‘big’ even means. This is Black Peaks in 2015, and I can almost guarantee it’s going to be a similar vibe for 2016. It’s happening, like it started to happen to Arcane Roots, like it happened on a big scale to someone like James Bay and many of the Brit-School singers like Adele, and like how it’s currently happening to Jack Garratt too.

Their music is beautiful and chaotic, and it’s just what the world needs more of, at least in my eyes. Black Peaks are my artist of 2015, and I bet they’ll be the artist of 2016 to considerably more people.


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ELLIE// EXO



EXO are one of the most popular kpop acts to date, and they are no doubt the most popular kpop boy group as of now. In the top ten best selling albums of 2015 in South Korea of 2015, their album’s EXODUS, LOVE ME RIGHT and Sing For You (which has only been released for a month!!!) earned their places at 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. They released some incredible dance influenced songs this year including Call Me Baby and Love Me Right, both of which have become some of the most watched kpop videos of all time, a special song ‘Lightsaber’, a collaboration with the official Star Wars franchise, and a winter themed album, showcasing the band’s vocal talent. Their combined album sales this year tops well over 1,000,000 (and that's not including their Chinese releases or singles!!!) It just goes to show to power and influence EXO has on the current day kpop market! I expect they’ll have equal if not more success in 2016, and I can’t wait to see what they've got coming for us next!

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DAISY// Adele




When I think of 2015, there will only be one woman I can say owned it. Obviously I am betraying my Queen (Taylor Swift) however, when someone dominates the media as successfully and majestically as Adele did at the end of last year (well, still to today really) I am left in awe.

I hate that people say that if we did follow the rule book, Adele wouldn't be the most successful artist in the world at the moment. Due to the way she speaks, what she writes about, her size and image. Frankly, such opinions are SO outdated and ignorant, like Adele, I cackle them away. She is truly organic. Her music is melodic and her lyrics are poetry. In interviews, she is classy and funny, talented and powerful, and is someone I honestly admire. I once stood behind her on an escalators (post-Grammys) and was too intimidated to speak to her (and me not talking is something pretty special). I really feel like when I grow old, she will be an artist I will proudly say represents my generation. 

 May be cliche to choose the best selling artist of 2015 but I believe Adele deserves it. It isn't easy coming back after selling 30 million albums to produce something which gets the majority of the peoples approval. I love that throughout the major success and international attention, she really is still the girl next door, keeping her private life private and creating fabulous music that's both commercially appealing but true to who she is.

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ALEX// Ling Tosite Sigure



For someone who has spent a lot of his life in 2015 watching anime, it would be criminal for me not to have these guys as my artist of 2015. Now let me tell you how insane this Japanese trio is. Loud, outrageous and energetic are a few words that can’t even begin the enormous complexity of this music. No single instrument is easier than any of the others. The ranges, the speed and the rhythmic diversity of each piece is sheer perfection. Just listen to Unravel the opening theme from Tokyo Ghoul and let your mind be blown by the sheer intensity. Any time their music comes on you can instantly tell that it’s them, their sound is fresh and original and I’m addicted to it! It’s the reason why I was so pleased when they released their new EP ‘Es or s’ this September. Music densely packed with layers of intricate details and melodic beauty. I can’t fault this band in any way. It’s impressive what three incredible musicians can do and I hope I get the privilege in the future to see these guys perform live. I cannot wait to see what these guys bring to the table next.

Jamie

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