Stornoway
Compromised of four guys from Oxford, England, and named after a town in Scotland, Stornoway brings pop to a new modern level with the addition of trumpets, and violins, matched with insightful and clever lyrics that make them the “brainiest band in England.”
With many similarities to Belle and Sebastian, this group’s up-tempo songs about all things complex and simple deserves a listen!
http://www.stornoway.eu/
Gotye
Belgian-Australian Wally De Backer, or “Gotye” (pronounced, Go-tee-yay) has been recording since 2001, but is gaining momentum this year in 2012. He has been compared to Sting and Peter Gabriel with multi-instrumental beats and a voice as clear as water. Just recently Gotye has replaced David Guetta’s number one spot on the UK’s hit list with his song featuring Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know.”
Check out a complete compilation on soundcloud.
http://soundcloud.com/gotye
Doomtree
Like, Gotye, Doomtree has been around for about a decade. It all started when seven friends set out to create hip-hop with lyrics that ring true after graduating high school in Minneapolis. Made up of P.O.S., Dessa, Sims, Cecil Otter, Mike Mictlan, Lazerbeak and Paper Tiger.
These artists have all found success individually and with other groups including Gayngs, a collaboration with Bon Iver. Now they continue to bring their talents to “Doomtree” while challenging the system in an album that they say calls for “rebellion and respect.” Check out their fourth album, No Kings, released in 2011.
http://www.doomtree.net/