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What would a wrap-up of 2011 in lists be without a list showing off the Best New Artists of 2011? I mean, come on! These are the bands that practically came from nowhere and blew us away with their talent!

Cults
This New York-based band popped up on our radars in 2011 with the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, Cults. Their indie poppy sound is crazy playful and fun to listen to. They’ve played Coachella and are attracting serious buzz from around the globe. People just can’t get enough of them!

Frank Ocean
A member of Odd Future (with Tyler, the Creator, etc, etc), Frank Ocean released Nostalgia, Ultra in 2011. And it’s amazing. Sampling songs from bands like Coldplay, the album brings you straight back to your favourite “you know that time!” memories. Like it says, nostalgia. I can guarantee that this dude will only get bigger. His first LP comes out in 2012. Get excited!

The Weeknd
I can’t get enough of The Weeknd’s Abel Tesfaye. The Weeknd released three (YES. THREE.) mixtapes in 2011, topped off by Echoes of Silence on December 21. The three mixtapes have produced a huge amount of buzz for the up-and-comer. He’s got a similar sound to Drake, but with a bit more of a mellow touch to it. His music’s really an experience. Get on it. Be the guy who knew who he was before he got huge. Like, worldwide huge.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/sX9DgavXiN4

tUne-YarDs
The tUne-YarDs are like no other. Fronted by Merrill Garbus, the Connecticut-native band has a wicked experimental, lo-fi sound about them, which had my ears perked up all year long. The band released their sophomore album whokill in April, which really sparked the talk about them. The only way to really understand what they’re about is to listen to whokill in its entirety. You’ll be pleasantly pleased. Pleased. Pleasantly.

Youth Lagoon
This indie pop band captured my heart and ears the second I heard them. Yeah, there are a tons of bands out there that have that generic “indie pop” sound, but Youth Lagoon’s different. They manage to capture the spirit of the past in their lyrics and rhythms. You can hear the experiences they’re describing through the music and frankly, that’s what separates the good bands from the average bands.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/8IKPT30jOJw

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Tags: Cults, Frank Ocean, holiday wrap, The Weeknd, tUnE-YaRdS, Youth Lagoon

Posted on Sunday, January 1st, 2012 at 9:00 am by Matty - Correspondent and is filed under Blog, Holiday Wrap.