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The Next Big Thing In Music (part II)

The Next Big Thing In Music (part II)

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Looking for the next hit international music performer? The nominees for the Mercury Prize is an excellent place to look. That award goes the best new album from a British or Irish artist.

Recently we took a look at the half of the albums up for the Mercury Prize. Here’s an overview of the other half. As before, clic, on the corresponding album cover to listen to song samples.

Becoming A Jackal
Villagers

Who they are: An Irish band with dark lyrics that could even make Morrissey cry

Great if you like: The Smiths, Leonard Cohen, U2

Be sure to check out: Becoming A Jackal (track #2), Twenty-Seven Strangers (#9)

PURCHASE: USA / UK / DOWNLOAD

Golden
Kit Downes Trio

Who they are: A British jazz pianist, guitarist and saxophonist. Kit Downes is a winner of the BBC’s Rising Star Jazz award.

Great if you like: Nearly any piano-heavy jazz or singer-songwriters like Rufus Wainright and Nick Drake

Be sure to check out: Jump Mimzi Jump (track #1), Homely (#2) , Power and Patience (The Bear) (#3)

PURCHASE: USA / UK / DOWNLOAD

Total Life Forever
Foals

Who they are: A quintet from Oxford, England that plays a party-friendly style of poppy rock-punk.

Great if you like: Biffy Clyro, The Cribs

Be sure to check out: Total Life Forever (track #3), Spanish Sahara (#6)

PURCHASE: USA / UK / DOWNLOAD





I Speak Because I Can
Laura Marling

Who she are: A folk singer-songwriter gifted with a lovely voice and haunting acoustic style

Great if you like: Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Dido

Be sure to check out: Rambling Man (#3), Devil’s Spoke (track #1)

PURCHASE: USA / UK / DOWNLOAD

Two Dancers
Wild Beasts

Who they are: A British post-punk revival band of twentysomethings

Great if you like: The Barenaked Ladies (sort of), Queen (maybe), High Places (kind of)

Be sure to check out: All The King’s Men (track #3), We Still Got the Taste Dancin’ On Our Tongues (#5), The Fun Powder Pot (#1)

PURCHASE: USA / UK / DOWNLOAD

Sigh No More
Mumford & Sons

Who they are: A folk-rock band with country and bluegrass influences

Great if you like: Laura Marling (see above), Florence + The Machine

Be sure to check out: Little Lion Man (track #7)

PURCHASE: USA / UK / DOWNLOAD

published: 10 Sept 2010




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Hate these albums? Love them? Tell us about in in the The Next Big Thing In Music comments section

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