Ones to Watch 2022 #7 - Hope Tala

 

First appeared on Breaking More Waves: N/A 

The seventh artist on the Breaking More Waves Ones to Watch 2022 list is Hope Tala. A Londoner and ex English Literature student who mixes R&B with bossa nova sounds. This artist almost appeared on last year’s Ones to Watch list after the release of her track All My Girls Like To Fight from her Girl Eats Sun EP (which incidentally made Barack Obama’s favourite music of 2020 list). It took minimalist string sounds, acoustic guitars and clicky beats to create a song that sounded like washed up beauty on a paradise island.

However since that EP, Hope Tala kept the first few months of 2021 pretty quiet when it came to new releases. She returned in June 2021 with Mad – a track that cemented her style; like Astrud Gilberto recast for the 2020’s. It’s easy to understand when listening to this tune why when searching on Google, one of the most asked questions about Hope is ‘Is Hope Tala Brazilian?’

Recently Hope has released a new song Tiptoeing, which adds a hint of Lilly Allen / Kate Nash to her signature sound, all suggesting that if an album comes in 2022 it could be a very pleasurable ear-kiss.

Hope Tala - Tiptoeing

Hope Tala · Tiptoeing

Hope Tala - Mad (Video)

Ones to Watch #6 - CMAT

 

First appeared on Breaking More Waves: N/A 

CMAT might be getting a little on the hype train when she proclaims herself as a global pop star on her bio, but a very good pop star she is all the same.

CMAT’s take on pop isn’t perhaps what you’d expect though. It isn’t synthetic, glossily produced and autotuned. Instead it’s a much more old fashioned, traditional and organic take; great melodies underpinned with sounds that are painted by shades of Americana, country and acoustic music – although you might still find the odd squelchy synth here and there.

Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, CMAT (real name Ciara Thompson) is a fan of Dolly Parton and has written a song about chicken – Another Day (kfc). After a string of excellent singles such as I Wanna Be A Cowboy, Baby! and No More Virgos her debut album If My Wife New I’d Be Dead is scheduled for release in February 2022.

CMAT - I Wanna Be A Cowboy, Baby! 

cmatbaby · I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!

CMAT - I Don't Really Care For You

Ones to Watch 2022 #5 - Lynks

 

First appeared on Breaking More Waves: March 2020

When choosing artists for the annual Breaking More Waves Ones to Watch list, sometimes I mean just that; artists that you must go and watch live irrespective of if they have any commercial or critical success. Lynks is one such artist. Despite the gigging scene of 2021 being someone squashed due to Covid, I’ve managed to see Lynks 4 times this year and every show has been a euphoric blast from start to finish.

Lynks (formerly known as Lynks Afrikka) is a queer-pop artist who brings it all. Energy. Performance. Wit. Humour. Intelligence. Dance routines. Leigh Bowery aesthetic. Lyrics that you won’t hear on any other pop song: “Everyone’s sexy and I’m Dexys Midnight Runners on a Thursday night.” Lynks is the anti-Oasis. Lynks is the ultimate underground raver. Lynks will get you in a lather. Lynks is one to watch.

This is an artist who brings back the silliness into pop music in the same way that Confidence Man has done and Wet Leg (Ones to Watch #1) are doing with songs like Chaise Longue. It’s unsurprising therefore that Lynks covered Chaise Longue for Radio 1 and has been dropping it during live shows. However, put aside the silliness for a second and you'll find Lynks is talking about gender politics, stereotypes and sexuality.

Right now, with the sh*tshow of Covid-19, it feels like the right time for colour, glamour and ultimately fun to be back on our stereos and in our venues. Lynks provides all of that.

Lynks is the alter-ego of one Elliot Brett and together with the Shower Gel (and not forgetting Barbara the table – a trusted er…table that they have on stage with them) they are here to bring the joy. 

Lynks - BBB

Ones to Watch 2022 #4 - Sam Ryder

 

First Appeared On Breaking More Waves: February 2021

When I introduced Sam Ryder on the blog this February he had 2.6 million followers on Instagram. By November that figure had risen to 3.5 million. To give some context that's the same number of followers as Charli XCX and she's been doing music for over 10 years.

It’s easy to see why. His posts are incredibly engaging, his personality clearly huge. But most of all the reason why people lap up his social media like he’s new music’s version of Kylie Jenner is because of his incredible vocal talent; the man can sing the underwear off a celibate and he loves showing off that skill on his posts. (Don’t worry, he doesn’t actually make people’s clothes fall off that really would be an odd skill). It’s starting to transfer to real life as well – his UK tour in January is completely sold out.

Take a listen to his vocal on his version of his song More recorded in the V&A in London. It covers all bases. From angelic choirboy, to mellifluous boy-band balladeer to gritty rock star in the making. He makes music that is broad and could have Capaldi like mainstream appeal if he releases the right song and gets the right support, but his sound is (just) flecked with just enough edge to not make it schmaltzy. 

With one EP (The Sun's Gonna Rise) released in September and a new single called Spaceman due in January, Sam could easily be shooting for the stars. Not every act on the Breaking More Waves Ones to Watch list has commercial appeal, but Ryder could be one that has.

Sam Ryder - More (Live at the V&A)