Merseyside music’s best new acts of 2016 – Getintothis’ new breed of the ones to watch

Azusena

Still very much under the radar with not much information about her available and only a couple of songs available to listen to online, Wirral born but Los Angeles raised songwriter Azusena has all the tools to be a huge success.

Through her tracks such as Clever Gains and You, Azusena has given an intriguing taste of her stripped back, understated pop. With the latter being more acoustic guitar led while the former has more of an electronic feel to it, both tracks showcase her knack for melody and a voice to die for.

It’s very early days, but Azusena has the potential to be one of Liverpool’s next big pop stars. Adam Lowerson

If given the task of finding one word to sum up Del Florida, it would be “dreamy”. Within seconds of hearing their brilliant In Sleep you are immediately whisked away to a remote beach or a sunny afternoon in Sefton Park. The four-piece, fronted by vocalist and pianist Leela Dawson (also of Taws and solo status), bring a seemingly effortless sense of shimmery exotica to their Liverpool sound and cannot fail to bring a smile to your face.

Their more recent debut single Superior, is even more jazzy and soul-drenched, giving Dawson a chance to exercise her freestyle vocalising even further.  Alongside Inge Bremnes, Chris Gaffney and Stephen Fitzpatrick, Dawson’s band are the perfect summer festival band who should quickly rise to headline status with their breezy confidence and killer self-penned tunes. Describing themselves as a cross between a surf and post-rock, Del Florida are a sublime antidote to those troublesome 2016 blues. Del Pike

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Liverpool foursome DUSST have already made waves in the psychedelic rock scene, fusing a mix of blues, funk and folk along the way, and have so far gained some impressive slots at Tramlines Festival and forthcoming support gig with Psychic Ills. With their smooth, pristine and, at times, groovy guitar intro’s having been compared to that of Thin Lizzy – which, of course, can never be a bad thing – it’s no wonder DUSST already have a few cult followers, this writer included.

DUSST have spawned a sound that not only offers a vibe of the past, but brings their own feel to the forefront of the music. The beautifully crafted sound only continues as frontman, Joe Atkinson, announces himself through calm vocals that both creates and completes the band’s tone.

Although relatively new to the scene DUSST have already grabbed themselves a mini tour of France, and with a debut EP set to be recorded this September, they’ll be a band we hear a lot over the coming year. Intent on taking their music worldwide, expect big things ahead from the band. Ryan Craig

With a notable fan in BBC 6Music’s Tom Robinson  Feral Love, are the definition of the upcoming Liverpool music scene at the moment. Lead by former Bird singer, Adele Emmas, along with Christian Sandford, they have created a beautifully strange sound which is intelligent, artistic but also not so weird to terrify the average gig goer.

With Adele’s star crossed back catalogue there was a lot of pressure on this band from the off. Before their first release people were discussing this band and building expectations, but this pressure is water off a duck’s back as they have been entertaining audiences around the country quickly.

Like the Wind, their debut single released on Edge Hill University’s The Label Recordings, is multi-layered and complex yet you can fall straight into line with it, propelled by the modern PJ Harvey vocal. This sound and some high profile slots at Sound City, LIMF and the Heavenly Social has captured the attention of people in high places. Gary Lambert

Dream pop astronauts. Drone pop cosmonauts. Shoegaze space cadets. Just a few of the whacked out descriptions that have been thrown in the direction of FUSS, who with less than a handful of singles to their name have made the cut partly through their exceptional live performances including slots at Off Cut Festival, Banksfest and the forthcoming Liverpool Weekender.

Their brand of consuming captivation was quickly pounced upon by Dave Monks’ BBC Introducing show, enticing listeners with hooky and melodic textures that find themselves submerged in synth, driven forward into space and time with a pulsating rhythm section ready to take you on the journey. Vicky Pea

Electro-industrial beats and future-poise spoken word are the hallmarks of God Colony‘s output so far. Cavernous production and glitch sensibilities all add to their enigmatic machinery. Born in Liverpool and grown in London, God Colony consist of sonic siblings James Rand and Tom Gorton.

They collaborate with up-and-coming MCs to augment their jackhammer beats and industrial-swept electronics. It is a heady mix with the skills of London-based Flohio and Massachusetts’ Stash Marina providing self-possessed and equable vocals.

Often brooding and shadowy, tracks such as Desperate, Steady and SE16 showcase a blending of volcanic talent and arcane strengths. They are rising and are on the cusp of achieving escape velocity. Mike Stanton

Emerging from the fog and ash of a near-twilit netherworld are God on my Right, a duo of spectral synthesis and warping feedback. They have materialised fully-formed and unleashed two demos of quantitative power and post-storm atmospherics.

Creating a sound akin to dragging a studio-full of bleeping and squealing synths through a chain-link fence they have found a unique voice among the bark and chatter of their contemporaries. Hailing from Liverpool and forging their sound in Crash Studios, there is much promise of greater things to come.

Anticipation is rising for their next move and their emergence is surely a portent of a new and better phase in the tired industrial-electronic scene. Mike Stanton

Harvey Brown continues to develop his lush electronica sound in a world populated by over-familiar tech house and the like. His productions offer a great deal of depth, and the electronic warblings of his home studio can easily draw comparison to the likes of Tycho, Bonobo, and Ulrich Schnauss.

His latest offering, Crepiscule, is quite a housey affair. One detail that always stands out about Brown‘s music is his innovative use of samples through which he builds his tracks. While not totally sample-based, the cuts that he does pilfer from other, under-the-radar tunes, serve to add even more character to his music, such as the little vocal snippet in Crepiscule.

Check out his mix as well, Gedup the Hill Son!, for more insight into Harvey Brown‘s influences and the sounds from which he draws inspiration. Ste Knight

Hailing from Norway and Barrow but settling in Liverpool, indie pop duo Her’s have caught the eye of much of the music press with their dreamy tunes and luscious melodies.

There’s something reminiscent of Julian Casablancas in his heyday with the Strokes in frontman Stephen Fitzpatrick‘s vocals, and it’s a perfect match for the gentle jangle of the guitars and the hazy, summery production.

Now with support slots upcoming with fellow Merseyside starlets Trudy and the Romance, and a slot at Green Man festival, Her’s will be hoping to capitalise on their early hype and build their names as one of the hottest new acts on the scene. Adam Lowerson

Hicari are a Liverpool based quintet, emerging from the shadows of synth pop and 80s inspired acts such as CHVRCHES and The 1975. They bring upbeat melodies and heartfelt lyrics to the table to create an up-tempo pop synth dream.

By definition, Hicari is light, and that is exactly what they bring to the music scene right now, a much needed dose of the light and easy breeze to wash over the dark grey with bundles of joy, and what better way to do that than with an 80s infused soundtrack.

With impressive appearances at LIMF under their belts and being a constant on the Liverpool music circuit, Hicari are gaining their stride and with the release of more music are proving themselves with every step. Jess Borden 

While many try so desperately to mix the music of their roots with contemporary music, few artists manage to do it naturally and beautifully. Fortunately, Merseyside got its share of the latter in I See Rivers.

Hailing from various parts of Norway, the three girls that form this trio combine Feist and Fleet Foxes inspired folk and baroque pop with the Scandinavian flavour of their roots through lyrical story telling, intricate vocal harmonies and unique instrument-playing. Their soundscape features dark coldness, natural serenity and lots of charm just like the landscape that their name suggests.

With several prominent festival performances and a tour supporting Newton Faulkner behind them, I See Rivers stand as a perfect example of the global sounds finding a base in Merseyside. Amaan Khan

After earning the title of one of LIMF Academy‘s ‘most ready’ artists in 2015, Jalen N’Gonda has made significant strides on the local and national scene with his rhythmic soul. Originally from Wheaton, Maryland, N’Gonda studied in Liverpool at LIPA where his talent was recognised and rightly championed.

This year he has so far released a single, Holler (When You Call My Name), continuously performed at festivals throughout the UK and Europe and supported colossal names such as Martha Reeves and Lauryn Hill. His formula is a winning one, showing a natural aptitude for playing damn fine guitar topped with easy, breezy, beautiful vocals.

N’Gonda‘s style has wide appeal, evidenced by his busy booking schedule which is everywhere from the Baltic Triangle to Amsterdam to Paris, Germany and even Montreal. It seems that good news travels fast and we’re pretty certain that in 2017 Jalen N’Gonda‘s music will keep on travelling. Janaya Pickett

Having gained support slots with some Merseyside favourites in the Sundowners, Bill Ryder-Jones and a recent performance at Skeleton Coast festival on the Wirral, Jo Mary are slowly but steadily starting to build up a bit of a following. Almost effortlessly.

This effortlessness is mirrored in their music. Slacker grooves, loose, jangling guitars and lo-fi production, the result is psychedelic tinged rock and roll. It oozes cool.

With a debut album in the works, an upcoming support slot with buzz band the Parrots, and seemingly a few friends in the right places, Jo Mary is a name that we could be hearing a lot more of in the near future. Adam Lowerson

Having been the first act to sign with one of Liverpool’s newest and most exciting record labels in Deathly Records, Lilium are looking to build on their live reputation and cement their status as one of the scene’s most exciting new bands.

With only a 20 second trailer for their forthcoming debut single Disappear, recorded at the Motor Museum, available to listen to online, you’ll have to take it from the people who’ve seen them live that Lilium are an intriguing act with bags of potential. For the rest of us, we can only wait and anticipate.

With layers of vocals and vast, expansive productions, the tiny glimpse of Disappear we have so far hints at a unique, widescreen sound with a wide array of influences. We can’t wait to hear more. Adam Lowerson

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17 year old L U M E N is some sort of hologram from the 80s sending us ambient echoes through the space time continuum.  Although, atmospherically, he could exist quite happily with Donnie Darko at dusk, his individuality is what dislocates him from accurate reference points and genre specific chronology.

Having garnered support from Radio 1‘s new music maestro Huw Stephens and performed alongside Frankie and the Heartstrings, L U M E N became one of the latest in a long line of artists to emerge from the LIMF Academy.

This guy is special.  His synth-pop sound has the potential to push music forward. The real shock comes when his lyrics ask all of the questions that make you ache. Just as pretty as Pictures of You in the age of Instagram,   L U M E N’s summer needs no filter baby, it’s just true. Backed by the Merseyside Arts Foundation, the future looks very bright for young Liam Brown. Sue Bennett

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A swell of positivity seems to follow LUNA everywhere she goes these days. Her sets at Threshold, Sound City and most recently LIMF were met with lucent comments from all around, admiration that only grew further following the release of her mesmeric new single Without Love.

Delicate ambient melodies and drifting vocal power aplenty within an enchanting spell of trippy dark pop flickers and glitchy production.

Seemingly forever blossoming, LUNA is proving herself increasingly adept at production, live delivery and penning pop kicks that get many a jealous admiring glance from her peers. Her rise isn’t showing any signs of slowing up so our glowing refrences to her music won’t be either. Jake Marley

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Creating a whirlwind of ethereal ambience, devastating yet glorious in equal measure, Mary Miller is sweeping through the streets of Liverpool like an unstoppable force of nature. Her hauntingly beautiful whisperings, stir images of vast emotional valleys of trip pop that move you instantly.

Hailing from Blackpool, the 21 year old has found her feet firmly in her adopted home, with the LIPA student steadily gaining momentum with her dreamy take on pop. A true love for electronica is clear in Miller’ work so far, with the mesmerising Angling so far being her only release to date.

With subtle tinges of the brooding darkness that comes from the likes of The Cure or Burial, there is an element of aloofness that resonates through Mary Miller that is irresistible. Hopefully we won’t have to wait long for the next offering from this most intriguing of artists. Craig MacDonald

Mersey Wylie has a musical résumé that some people could only dream of, such as working as a backing vocalist for Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr and Siouxsie Sioux. No longer a backing singer, Mersey Wylie is now taking center stage with a sound that blends her years of experience to release her own original music.

The mixture of blues, jazz, funk and soul create her own unique harmonies with a reminiscent nod to the sounds of Northern Soul. Everything about her music adds energy and passion to the room it is being played in.

Whether with a nine piece band or stripped down to her and a guitarist, Wylie makes all performances feel like an intimate show and connection and always a must see. Jess Borden

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The Mysterines

Terrifying. In every sense. The Mysterines are terrifyingly gifted for ones so young and for ones so young terrifying in how far this sound could go. The Wallasey-based trio of singer-guitarist Lia Metcalfe (daughter of former Sound Of Guns singer Andrew), bass player George Favager and drummer Zak McDonnell (son of The Sandband‘s David) have been earning their stripes during select live appearances on the Wirral, most notably alongside The Sundowners at their Christmas special and more recently a heart-racing set at Hoylake’s Skeleton Coast.

Melding swaggering rock & roll, propulsive Bleach-era Nirvana rhythmic clout and in Metcalfe a guttural nonchalant vocal bite which flits between deadened Courtney Barnett drall and fearsome Patti Smith howl – they’re at once intense and yet alluringly warm. Thus far there’s but a handful of tracks available (nothing online) on their mini limited run self-titled CD including the twanging street-beat fury of 50’s Knife Fight notable for it’s frenetic McDonnell stomp, opener Skeleton Coast a tribal louche groove and acoustic stand out Sticky illustrating the band’s ability to strip things down yet, thanks to Metcalfe’s primal vocal, remain a strident, brutal force. It all makes for a frightening proposition – and one we can’t help but be completely entranced. Peter Guy

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One of the more enigmatic characters on the Liverpool music scene, hip hop starlet Nelson seems to hide in the shadows for months at a time before re-emerging with a new tune to catch our attention, then disappearing again. But it’s always worth the wait, and we can only assume that the long periods of anonymity are while he hones his sound, perfecting every beat and every lyric.

One of the few glimpses we’ve seen of Nelson as a live performer at the GIT Award 2016 launch night at Buyers Club, showcased the hip hop producer’s talents as a rapper, and laid back, humble personality, while his tunes gave enough of a hint that he is an artist with a very big future ahead of him.

Live appearances are becoming more frequent in 2016, with Nelson recently opening for huge hip hop star Ghostface Killah, and with more in the pipeline for later this year, he might not be such an enigma for much longer. Adam Lowerson

Loud, abrasive and in thrall to cacophonous waves of discordant feedback, Liverpool four piece Ohmns are one of the city’s fastest rising bands. With a sonic palette that encompasses punk, post-punk and howling hardcore the band are at the forefront of an emergent scene of like-minded travellers. Yet Ohmns have been able to successfully forge their own distinctive identity with a series of eye-catching displays in the red-hot cauldron of the live stage

To watch the band play is nothing short of a captivating experience. Their sets take on an unpredictable almost chaotic air that feels like it could all descend into bedlam at any minute. You can’t take your eyes off them.

Crucially, too, they don’t take themselves too seriously. But amid the undeniable sense of fun within their broodingly propulsive dark garage sounds, is a proper band willing to be led down increasingly more experimental and avant-garde paths. Each performance sees a leaner, tighter and more confident band on display as if challenging their instruments to produce ever more ear-threatening sounds.

One not to be missed and we will monitor their progress with a keen sense of interest. Paul Higham

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It’s hard to think of a group that has set off on such an upward trajectory that sound as diverse as Oranj Son. When a group makes their live debut at Sound City and then get picked to join the likes of GIT Award winners All We Are and Bill Ryder-Jones at FestEvol with only a handful of tracks to their name, you know they must be something special.

The quartet from Ellsemere Port are most definitely that. With the group being one of the latest treasures to be unearthed from The Label Recordings seamlessly vast pool of talent, Oranj Son are able twist together twining waves of psych together with a true Northern weathered texture of post punk grittiness, among a pallet of delectable synth that forms instant grooves that command your full attention.

Made up of brothers Kieran and Matt Linford, Lew Yii and Brad Welch, their melodies are slick, smart, with fluid stabs of off kilter brilliance that makes them a refreshing dose to the Mersey scene. Few bands combine such an array of varying styles together with such an accomplished affect. Craig MacDonald

Paris Youth Foundation are a Liverpool-based alternative rock band. They released their first single, If You Wanna, last month on Soundcloud with it gaining a lot of airplay from BBC Merseyside and Radio X. They made their mark with their debut single, and that’s not an easy thing to do. It’s energetic and the vocals are captivating. It’s a track that you can’t help turn up the volume to. After the first listen, all you want to do is press repeat. It’s that kind of a track.

2016 is looking to be a big year for the group, with a slot on the BBC Introducing stage at Reading and Leeds Festival amongst several other dates across the UK. Steph Niciu

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Peaness represent everything that’s right with the new breed. They’re fun, smart, confident and genuine. Coming out of Chester’s blooming music scene the trio combine easy as you like melodies and earworm riffs with the kind of lyrics that are punctuated with a cheeky wink and a tongue in cheek.

Balla (guitar/vocals), Jess (bass/vocals) and Rach (drums) have made it through their difficult first year with flying colours, with stand out live reviews, radio play and famous fans to boot it’s only the start as they’ve got plenty on their plate including appearances at SWN Festival and A Carefully Planned Festival later this year. Don’t get the wrong and of the stick though, these girls are just as accustom to headlining there own shows as popping up in high profile support slots and festival listings. Vicky Pea

Pink Kink party-popped into our consciousness late last year at their ram-packed debut show at the Kazimier, a fizz of colour and psycho tropical bubble rock for every kinky woman and every pinky man. Star spots at Sound City, FestEVOL and the GIT Award launch party at the top end of the year have enchanted and pulled in a wider fan base, plus garnered great reviews.

The LIPA band is currently on a summer break, and Liverpool misses them. With no recordings available to keep us company over these weeks, we look forward to the band’s return and anxiously await news of a first release.

Few have exploded onto a scene like Pink Kink first did almost a year ago, and despite the lack of recorded music available to listen to online, the five piece have been featured on Apple’s Beats 1. Surely there can’t be many debut singles as highly as anticipated as theirs? Cath Bore

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Souped-up scuzz merchants Psycho Comedy have got it going on, from debaucherous riffs to a frontman oozing raw charisma, fusing dreamlike shoegaze with gritty rock ‘n’ roll taken straight from the handbook containing the sexed-up jams of The Stones and the eerie, unsettling, psychedelic strains of The Velvet Underground.

Formed only in 2015 and signed to Playing With Sound, the first tastes of recorded music and glimpses of live shows have done nothing but fuel a genuine and justified appetite for this Liverpool five-piece from all corners.

Psycho Comedy find various ways to flood the senses, their minimalist approach to lyricism only enhances the impact when a line does land, ensuring it sticks around in the conscience, and the gradually enveloping drones of sound niggle at your psyche like a crack addiction. Electrifying stuff. Tom Konstantinowycz

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Recently announced as The Label Recordings‘ latest signings, slick six-piece Red Rum Club have made fleeting appearances on the live circuit while moulding their cinematic debut masterpiece in Parr Street Studios alongside Chris Taylor.

Oozing the vigour of a group brimming with confidence and explosive anthems, their debut release is only the tip of their undoubted potential. Delivering blow after blow while remaining rather under the radar, this is a group surrounded by a natural buzz, primed to lead any renewed Merseyside charge on the national music scene.

They’re set to open for the Shimmer Band at the Buyers Club later in the year and if their recent slot at Sound City was anything to go by, fans are in for a real treat. Jake Marley

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Having only very recently dropped their self titled four-track EP on the unsuspecting masses via Alabama based Arkham Records, Sheer Attack, a potent four-piece hardcore act comprised of members, and ex-members of SSS, Salem Rages and Mind Mountain, are proving they are a force to be reckoned with.

Punk influences abound with these guys, with raw guitar tones, standout vocals, and even room for some gang-vocals thrown in, adding to the rock’n’roll vibes.

Their sound is as gritty and unpolished as hardcore should be, but all while being catchy as hell. All of us here at Getintothis headquarters wait on bated breath for a crushing follow up full-length debut, along with any other mayhem these DIY bandits unleash upon Liverpool’s pizza joints. Mark Davies

Yet another group who have carved their early reputation through a series of impressive live performances across Liverpool in recent months, SPQR are ball of pure energy and fuzzy guitar tones.

With alt-rock perhaps not exactly being the coolest of genres, SPQR manage to give it a fresh feel with interesting melodies and impressive vocals. Packed with grooves and searing guitar solos, you know what you’re getting with them. They’re tonnes of fun and have a knack for earworms, in particular their track PLINK.

Although still pretty new to the Liverpool scene, SPQR have picked up a decent online following, and if they build upon their early promise could soon become favourites on Merseyside and beyond. Adam Lowerson

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Getintothis got onto Suedebrown fairly recently. His sound is one that you could safely say transcends any sort of style, as he fuses electronica, grime, and dubstep, along with a heavy dollop of soul, to create a wonderful musical landscape.

Having caught the attention of Radio 1Xtra and BBC Introducing through his original tracks and remixes of artists such as Steve Aoki and Iggy Azealia, the hip hop producer has recently been included on a new mixtape, curated by Rinse FM presenter Shadow Child and Red Bull Studios.

His latest track, Tonight (featuring Lauren Faith), is a belter. Released ahead of his performance at LIMF recently, the track features some awesome calypso style drums, which build the track, giving it a tropical, housey feel, before Lauren Faith‘s S.I.A style vocal delivery kicks in, with the trap-style beats and samples stuttering away in the background. Great stuff. Ste Knight

The Shipbuilders, fronted by Matty Loughlin, a singer songwriter with a genuine La’s era John Power curly mop, are the real deal. Their songs reflect their name with their deep rooted dock road stylings, further reflecting the Loughlin family roots in actual shipbuilding.

Their songs are honest and direct, with obvious Scouse influences box-checked but with a style unique enough to call their own. Matty, alongside his mates Danny Lee and Sully and newbie Nicky McGrane on bass (following brother Andrew’s recent move to Spain), have a fresh sound that is difficult to put into words, as it is the atmosphere they create that is the key. Their sound is evolving into a harder edged approach too, and it suits them down to the ground

Songs like Hanging me at Dawn and Darkening Vale are modern day folk songs with real stories to tell and demand to be heard. Not only are they a genuinely talented band but also some of the nicest guys you could wish to meet, and that warmth seeps through their music to create something special. Del Pike

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Venus Demilo are everything cool. Four mates getting together, forming a band and making glorious indie based tunes along the way. With their sound becoming ever more polished, the quartet are racking up plays on their latest single Sinking Ships. 

Heavily influenced by artists such as The Coral, Foals, and The 1975, Venus Demilo show a keen ability to create a sound that is so naturally indie but is still their own breed of indie sound.

The vocals created by Tom Anderson, serve as a centrepiece in many of the tracks – powerful, passionate, and simply great to listen to. With many more tracks in the making, no doubt Venus Demilo will be a name you hear a lot more of. Ryan Craig

Recently pottering away with Carl Hunter and Chris Taylor at Parr Street, Youth Hostel are on track to release their second single in September, courtesy of Rooftop Records. Their horrendous shirts and Milburn-sounding tracks give them a pedestal in the local area, bringing a careless, happy-go-lucky tone to a sometimes oh-so-serious scene.

As a soon cult favourite, the newly formed foursome aren’t provocative but they are cheeky and will try their luck with anything. Having a firm backing already, featuring on Amazing Radio and performing at Liverpool Sound City, their shimmering indie pop could be seen as frustratingly samey but that wouldn’t hold these lads back – nor their fans. Lauren Jones

You know when you hear a new track from someone you’ve never heard before and it sounds just right? When it sounds like the track that you’ve been waiting for? When in some instinctive way there’s a promise of more? When that one single track renews your faith in music?

That’s how it was with the one track by Zuzu on Soundcloud from last year. Where’d You Go was a perfect slice of guitar pop, wry and lyrically deft, catchy and instantly hummable.

Zuzu bagged a very appropriate support slot when Courtney Barnett played Liverpool last December and with a tight 3 piece band behind her, plenty of gigs in the intervening months and a debut single, Get Off, just released, her inclusion on this list is more than justified.

The promise will be delivered in spades and we can’t wait to hear what she comes up with next. Rick Leach

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