It seems like every new band that breaks into the music industry this year has connections to the London music scene. London acts as home for a slew of new and talented musicians that are breaking into the business. Here is a look at some of the best acts to come from London in the last five years.
Mumford and Sons
A London-based contemporary folk quartet is taking the world by storm. Mumford and Sons is led by front man Marcus Mumford and the “Sons” definitely know how to break it down on a banjo. Their songs are poetic, their tunes are catchy and contagious and their lyrics are deep and meaningful. To put it plainly, Mumford and Sons is the best thing to happen to music in quite some time. Their songs “White Blank Page,” “Dustbowl Dance” and “Timshel” have earned them a reputation of being more than just the next flash in the pan.
The xx
Another awesome London-based band is The xx. Their sound is unique, eerily calm and hypnotizing. Each of their songs starts of slowly and with a sense of calm. As the song plays the intensity heightens and draws the listener in. Some of the best songs by The xx include “Crystalised,” “Infinity,” and “Islands.”
Florence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine is a force to be reckoned with. The ginger haired goddess Florence Welch is so much more than a singer. She is a poet, a dancer, a songstress and a full-blown entertainer. She exudes retro charm, soft beauty of another time, but her voice is anything but. Take one listen to her belt out one of her songs, and you’ll understand her appeal. Her on-stage persona is nothing short of breath taking. Some of her best songs to date are “Seven Devils,” “Rabbit Heart,” and “Cosmic Love.”
Laura Marling
Laura Marling is a breath of fresh air. Like Mumford and Sons, Marling is from the London folk scene and has much to offer in terms of her musical output. Her sound is completely unique, her lyrics are profoundly real and her songs hit nerves, where others fall short. Some of her best work yet can be heard on “Devil’s Spoke,” “My Manic and I,” and “Ghosts.”
Adele
You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard an Adele song on the radio lately. The performer has a voice of velvet and the face of an angel. Her songs surround matters of the heart, and they impact many listeners with a wallop. Some of her most impressive performances include “Someone Like You,” “Rolling in the Deep,” and “Hometown Glory.”
More from this Contributor:
Five of the Most Powerful Florence and the Machine Songs to Date
‘Sigh No More’: Mumford and Sons to Release a New Album in February 2012
Born in the Wrong Decade: Four Dead Musicians I Wish I Could Have Seen Live