2017 is set to be the biggest year yet for pop music. A mere three weeks in and Ed Sheeran is already breaking chart records (the first time in history an artist has taken the top two chart positions with new tracks), so now it’s time for the newcomers to show their predecessors exactly how it’s done. It’s time to discover five pop artists who look set to make a splash in 2017.
1. AJR
You may think the whole brother-trio thing finished at Hanson and the Jonas Brothers, but siblings Adam, Jack and Ryan Met (better known as AJR) are here to prove us wrong. The band blend indie riffs and DIY elements to create their genre-spanning sound, writing, mixing and producing their own material. Having created a storm back in 2014 when their debut single, “I’m Ready”, hit number 1 on the Next Big Sound‘s chart, the long-awaited release of their debut album later this year should hopefully push them into the limelight.
2. NEIKED
There is little known about Victor Rådström – better known under his stage alias NEIKED – except for that success came virtually overnight with hit single “Sexual“. Featuring singer-songwriter Dyo, the track charted at number 5 in the UK singles charts – blending trippy synths and infectious up-tempo rhythms to create the year’s first euphoric dance-pop smash. Now we’ve had a taster, 2017 has got us wanting more from this promising Scandi producer.
3. Terror Jr
American pop trio Terror Jr first took tentative steps into the spotlight after their debut single, “3 Strikes”, was featured in a Kylie Jenner lip-gloss commercial. Producing hookhe trio consist of Felix Snow, former The Cataracs band member David “Campa” Benjamin Singer-Vine and an anonymous lead singer “Lisa” (rumoured to be Kylie Jenner herself) to the extent where Jenner was forced to deny the rumours. The band released their new track “Heartbreaks” in November 2016; and we wait with excitement to see where this year takes them…
4. Starley
Australian singer/songwriter Starley Hope made her way into the spotlight in October following the release of her debut single, “Call On Me”. Having made its way to number 1 in Sweden and number 8 in Australia, the track lit up the internet quicker than you can say “she’s on fire”. With Starley’s distinctive vocals with an undeniable electro-pop undercurrent, it’ll be interesting to see whether she develops in 2017 to become more than just another one-hit-wonder.
5. Bebe Rexha
Pop sensation Rexha has nailed the pop/R&B/electropop hybrid, having already featured on countless chart-topping singles, including G-Eazy‘s “Me, Myself and I” and David Guetta‘s “Hey Mama“. 2017 is setting up to be her year following the announcement that her debut studio album, All Your Fault, is set for release as soon as February this year. Check out single “No Broken Hearts” feat. Nikki Minaj to get a taste of what’s to come from the album.
