Here are some newer artists with super smooth voices — in no particular order — that I've been digging lately. These talented vocalists span a variety of genres and are definitely on my 'Artists to Watch' list of 2016.
1. Lianne La Havas
Location: London, UK
Genre: Acoustic, Folk
If I had to compare singer/songwriter Lianne La Havas to another artist, I would say Lianne is like an edgier, folksier Corinne Bailey Rae. Check out Lianne's NPR Tiny Desk concert, where you can really experience the beautiful lightness of her vocals.
Listen to her latest album Blood, released in July 2015, on Spotify here.
Must-Listens: Elusive, Tease Me, No Room For Doubt (feat. Willy Mason)
2. Gallant
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Genre: R&B, Soul
Louis Futon's remix of Gallant's "Weight in Gold" was my number one track of 2015, and for a good reason. I was intrigued by Gallant's alluring vocal style and high-pitched falsetto ever since I heard that song for the first time.
Gallant just collaborated with well-known singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens in his ongoing collaborative project "In the Room" — check out Episode 1 here.
Must-Listens: Open Up, Talking In Your Sleep, Jupiter Grayscale
3. Alina Baraz
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Genre: Modern R&B, Downtempo
Alina Baraz's sultry, almost hypnotic vocals — especially with producer Galimatias' lush, vibe-y production — take me to another world. Together, in their collaborative 2015 Urban Flora EP, Alina Baraz and Galimatias create a new kind of R&B.
Below is her song "Down For You" with Ta-ku, who also does an excellent job of capitalizing on the heavenly quality of Alina's sound.
Listen to the Urban Flora EP on SoundCloud here.
4. George Maple
Location: Sydney, Australia
Genre: Future Pop, Electro-Soul
George Maple's intense, yet introspective vocals create a "Vacant Space" unlike any other artist I know. That is, her raw sound — often supported by echoing electronic synths — is airy and fluid, and always full of musical and emotional tension. I discovered her music from her collaborations with Flume and What So Not.
Her music appears on my playlist featuring dark, future trap bangers, which you can check out here.
See the "Talk Talk" remixes album on Spotify here.
Must-Listens: Talk Talk, Vacant Space, Gemini
5. CYN
Location: Chicago, IL
Genre: Singer/Songwriter, Pop
CYN's music is soft, feminine, dreamy and honest — super refreshing amongst a sea of overproduced, over-synthesized pop vocalists. She's already collaborated with producer Galimatias, who I mentioned under Alina Baraz, so I'm excited to what other solo and collaborative projects she has in store for us this year.
Her latest, self-entitled EP was released in 2014. Check it out on SoundCloud here.
Must-Listens: Little Crusader, something, No More Hesitation
6. KHAI
Location: Jefferson City, MO
Genre: Pop, Electronic
I listened to KHAI's "Do You Go Up" endlessly on repeat this past December. His delicate, higher-pitched voice is unique, dynamic and sophisticated, and often accompanied by his own lovely, avant-garde production.
KHAI's If You EP was released in October 2015. Listen to it on SoundCloud here.
Must-Listens: Take (feat. CYN), All is Full of Love, In Void
7. Tora
Location: Byron Bay, Australia
Genre: Chillwave, Indie
While Tora's mellow electronic production is remarkably different — under the genre of new-age chillwave — this underrated, Australian band's three-part vocals also deserve recognition. I'm in love with their unique voices, melodic falsettos and dynamic rhythms, especially in this live performance from Canadian Music Week 2015.
Tora's Eat The Sun EP was released in October 2014. Listen to it on SoundCloud here.
Must-Listens: Jaigantic, Sugar Snap, Calming Her
8. Mothica
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Genre: Indie, Electro-Soul
Evocative yet soothing, Mothica's voice reminds me of that of Lucy Rose, but she an indie twist that pairs perfectly with her own original electronic production.
Check out her latest "gloom pop" Mythic EP, released in November 2015, on SoundCloud here.
Must-Listens: Between Us, Know You Well, Book Of Us
Thanks for reading and listening!
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