Ones to Watch 2021: The 15 musicians to look out for in the new year

Despite a difficult year, there are plenty of artists poised for success in 2021. Roisin O'Connor and Alexandra Pollard pick their favourites

Twenty-one-gun salute: (from left) Bree Runway, Greentea Peng, Hope Tala, Alfie Templeman and Patricia Lalor (Getty Images/iStock Photo)

New artists got a raw deal in 2020. Many of the ones we tipped at the beginning of last year were held back by the absence of live shows, unable to demonstrate their talents to potential new fans, bookers and label scouts. Yet they continued to persevere, with singers such as Arlo Parks still managing to make a mark with EPs and singles. And there’s more to look forward to in 2021, as we pick our favourite new singers, rappers and multi-instrumentalists to keep an eye on. Check them out below.

Amy Montgomery

While everyone was talking about Miley Cyrus and her Cranberries covers, 21-year-old Irish artist Amy Montgomery was honing her craft as one of the most exciting new rock singers in years. Her voice has a weight and grit that belies her youth, with a vocal style inspired by powerhouses such as Sharon Van Etten and Alanis Morissette. “Intangible”, her most recent single, is about her mother, who took her own life when Montgomery was just 16 years old. It’s a resplendent work of Nineties-inspired alt-rock, built on a grungy, squalling guitar hook and sun-drenched piano notes. Despite the heart-wrenching subject matter, the song is as life-affirming as it gets – about how our loved ones find ways to stay with us always – and that’s a theme that runs through all of Montgomery’s music. ROC

Hope Tala

Having turned down a masters offer from Cambridge to pursue a career in music, 23-year-old Hope Tala has a breezy self-confidence about her – one that oozes into the music. She doesn’t so much belt out her melodies as sigh them out, in a voice that is relaxed and conversational, set against bossa nova and R&B beats. She is refreshingly uncoy about using female pronouns, too. “Being open about being queer,” she says, “has contributed to my confidence in myself.” AP

Jany Green

Rapper and singer Jany Green found his home of Alaska too cold and isolating for his sunny disposition, so he upped sticks and moved to Los Angeles. In a year filled with anxiety, Jany is a dose of good vibes, best proven by his new single, “Move”. It’s a blast of horns, funky riffs and a superb bass hook; Jany’s characterful voice is impossibly charming, recalling Anderson Paak at his very best. He wants to make you feel OK – by the standards of these early releases, he’ll be succeeding far beyond next year. ROC

Alfie Templeman

With its colourful synths and broad-strokes melodies, Alfie Templeman’s high-res pop has something a little Eighties about it – even though at 17, he missed that decade by quite some margin. The British singer-songwriter was longlisted for BBC Sound of 2021, so you can expect to hear big things from him by the time he can legally drink. AP

French the Kid

There’s little info around French the Kid so far, but he certainly made an impression with his Daily Duppy freestyle for the music website GRM. This Essex boy raps in both fluent English and French. He also doesn’t shy from heavy themes – “Mad About Bars” includes references to mental health struggles, poverty and crime. French the Kid could be one of rap’s most exciting prospects for 2021. ROC

BENEE

If you thought millennial malaise was over, welcome to Gen-Z and their perennial loneliness. Hailing from New Zealand, 20-year-old BENEE (pronounced Benny, real name Stella Bennett) is already a star in her home country. She sings of isolation (not the coronavirus kind) with just enough tongue in cheek to make it as wry as it is wistful: “While you’re out there drinkin’, I’m just here thinkin’,” she sings on “Supalonely”, before declaring herself a “lonely bitch”. Her debut album, Hey u x, was released last month. AP

Dyo

Dayo Olatunji was formerly known as Ms D (Christina Ebenezer)

Dyo has been around a little longer than many of the other artists on this list but is on track to make a firm impact in 2021. At just 28, she’s written for as broad a range of artists as Maroon 5, Jacob Banks and Fifth Harmony. You might have heard her singing on Swedish producer Neiked’s smash hit “Sexual” in 2016. Born to a British mother and Nigerian father, the east London-based artist worked on a number of new projects this year. Check out her EP, Dyologue, and her brilliant collaboration with Nigerian artist Simi on the catchy “Let Them Talk”. ROC

Patricia Lalor

The Irish singer-songwriter and guitarist is just 15 but has already produced a sterling EP in the form of This Is How We Connect, While You Stand So Tall. Her favourite band is Radiohead, and you can hear Thom Yorke’s influence in solemn, mesmeric indie anthems such as “Same Place Again”. AP

BERWYN

Trinidad-born, Romford-raised singer, rapper and producer BERWYN produced his brilliant, 10-track debut Demotape/Vega in “a s***hole flat” in just two weeks. He’s an introspective young man, often performing over stark piano notes or stripped-down beats. His latest release, “Vinyl”, demonstrates a deep, resonant singing voice that recalls French artist Woodkid, He’s already performed on Later… with Jools Holland and landed a spot on the BBC’s Sound of 2021 longlist – expect to see a lot more of him next year. ROC

Tulliah

If there’s any justice, “Just My Type (A Little Bit Lonely)” will make this 19-year-old Australian’s name. It is a sumptuous, delicate ballad, bolstered by the teenager’s assured vibrato, staccato synth notes and a playful vocal sample. “I tend to write a lot about mental health struggles, relationships and just being a teenager in general,” says Tulliah. And she does it very well indeed. AP

Bree Runway  

Brenda Wireko Mensah, aka Bree Runway (Press image)

This east London artist has attitude to spare. Already longlisted on the BBC’s Sound of 2021 poll, rapper and singer Bree Runway has a DIY ethos that drives her all-consuming pop-rock sound, full of dark, menacing guitar grinds and eerie synths. She sounds insouciant on “ATM”, where she teams up with her idol, Missy Elliot, while “All Night” is a silky Nineties R&B throwback. Her debut mixtape 2000AND4EVA was a superb first look at her range. Expect lots more in 2021. ROC

Greentea Peng

Born Aria Wells, the south London-based singer had her life changed “pretty much overnight” when a video of her performing a then unreleased song, “Downers”, went viral last year. As talented as she is heavily tattooed (she’s even got an om symbol between her eyes), Greentea Peng makes music that traverses hip-hop, spoken word and introverted soul, her smoky voice redolent of Amy Winehouse. AP

Oxlade

If you need to escape Britain’s dark and wintry landscapes over the next couple of months, Nigerian artist Oxlade can help. His bright Afro-fusion sound has already won him a few celebrity fans, including Naomi Campbell and Drake, both of whom shared his infectious single “Away” this year. He’s more soulful on tracks such as “Dutty Love” and “DKT”, incorporating R&B elements with his natural talent for lyrical storytelling. Expect to see more solo releases in 2021, along with some big-name collaborations. ROC

Tate McRae

After starting her career as a dancer, performing with Justin Bieber and coming third on So You Think You Can Dance back in 2017, 17-year-old McRae has pivoted to music with startling ease. She’s honed a solid artistic identity, with mood-pop songs such as “r u ok” offering up tongue-in-cheek broodiness: “It’s your life but you might wanna put down the Bacardi/ Mean this sincerely, dude, are you OK?” The Canadian musician’s recent VMA nomination probably won’t be her last. AP

The Snuts

Making the UK album charts (No 15) with their debut EP wasn’t a bad way to start 2020. While the rest of their year was thrown off kilter (as it was for everyone), Scottish rock band The Snuts are determined to make an impact in the new year. They have a debut album, WL, lined up, as well as a sold-out at Glasgow’s legendary venue Barrowlands (a virtually unheard-of feat for a new act). Their sound is a scuzzy blues and hip hop-influenced style of rock redolent of Jack White, perfect for filling stadiums (whenever that’s allowed). ROC