Class of 2014 update! It’s only been a week since I announced the 10 artists I’ll be keeping a close eye on all year, and most everyone is moving and shaking already. First up, Sam Smith. He wound up being a special guest at Taylor Swift’s show at O2 Arena in London, and performed his single “Money On My Mind” with her. If that’s not a sign he’s got big things ahead of him, I don’t know what is. Kelela also got people continuing to buzz about her by releasing a new track called “The High,” which you can find in the Soundcloud section below. It’s slow burning and beautiful. Hardcore punk band Perfect Pussy have their debut album Say Yes to Love out on March 18th, but you can hear a new song called “Big Stars” as part of this Mixcloud session. Skip to 1:15:00 to hear it! Additionally Perfect Pussy frontwoman Meredith Graves wrote a tour diary and gave some life tips for Elle Magazine. That’s got to be a big boost for the band, right? This has also been a big week for Mas Ysa, who released his debut EP Worth on Tuesday. You can stream the whole thing on Spotify right now, or buy it from your favorite music retailer. I’ll have my review of it up on the site soon. Last but not least there’s GEMS. If you’re a fellow Chicagoan, I encourage you to join me this upcoming Friday, February 7th at 9pm to see GEMS play a 21+ show at Subterranean. Tickets are free if you RSVP via Red Bull Sound Select, so do that and discover more about this band I’m continuing to predict big things for in 2014! Speaking of which, some of the bands featured in today’s Pick Your Poison might just be the next big thing as well, so don’t count any of them out either. There’s some strong tracks today from Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., The High Wire, Macedo, My Body Sings Electric, NOMADS, Run Things, Sea Lion and Touching Bass. In the SOundcloud section after the jump, stream songs from (the aforementioned) Kelela, Bleeding Rainbow, Miguel, Owls, Pattern Is Movement and The Presets.
Another Dead Clown – Akashic Field
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today (Randy Newman cover)
My Body Sings Electric – New Friends
Touching Bass – Soulection
SOUNDCLOUD
Bleeding Rainbow – Images
Kelela – The High
Liars – Mess On A Mission (Silent Servant Remix)
Miguel – Simplethings
Owls – Ancient Stars Seed…
Pattern Is Movement – River
The Presets – Goodbye Future
