Time for an autumnal edition of Ones to Watch — although it may feel more like winter, depending where you are. Not to worry, as November’s class of up-and-comers bring serious heat in a range of moods and styles, guaranteed to delight everyone in your circle.
We’ve got introspective beats for those who want to curl up and get cozy, and a few music makers who blend acoustic touches into their electric quilts. If bass is something you crave, we’ve got rumbles at the ready. Like your bass to feel futuristic? There’s glitched-out brightness for you, too. We’ve even got some dark-tinged house for moody night owls.
Representing Italy, France, Belgium and the U.S., these are the Ones to Watch we’re thankful for.
ford.
Next time you find yourself lazing about on a rainy (or snowy) day, reach for this French-born, U.S.-based producer’s LP (The) Evening. It was just released on ODESZA’s Foreign Family Collective, and it only takes one listen to burrow into your soul. His sound is warm and intimate, nuanced with white noise, samples of street noises of cars, rain, birds and the like. Maybe it’s the classical influence, but its melancholic mood seems to speak to a bygone era. It’s a beautiful, transportive, emotional experience. Don’t be surprised if you cry a single tear. He’s about to wrap a tour in support of Kasbo, but we anticipate plenty more from ford. in 2019.
Vaal
Underground producer Vaal is a veritable enigma. She keeps her identity and branding largely subdued, preferring to let the music drive her project. It’s an ethos that has served her well, helping her to become one of the mainstays on Tale of Us’ mega-imprint, Afterlife. Over the past few years, she’s released many of the label’s most celebrated tracks, including “Wander to Hell” and her collaboration with Tale of Us, “The Hangar.” Now preparing to release her debut album on her new imprint Pale Blue Dot, Vaal is only just beginning to demonstrate her true potential.
Taska Black
Joachim Gorrebeeck has only been making music as Taska Black for three years, but the Belgian producer is already one of the fiercest talents in the bitbird family. Granted, he’s been studying violin and piano since he was four years old, but we digress. Label head San Holo has him on the road opening for sold-out crowds on his album1 tour, a solid choice given the project’s multi-instrumental sound. His debut EP MINDS weaves poignant violin and acoustic guitar licks between crunchy hooks and thumping electronic drums. Single “Losing Our Minds” featuring Nevve is particularly catchy. Don’t be surprised if you can’t get it out of your head.
TYNAN
When RL Grime, Zomboy and former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal are rinsing out your tracks on the regular, it’s time to pay attention. TYNAN has been one of the most buzzed-about bass up-and-comers this year for his gut-wrenching, neck-breaking heaters like “Extraterrestrial” with Kompay, “Origin” and more. He’s become a fan favorite among the Reddit Trap community and continues to pile on the collaborations with rising acts like Ekali, 1788-L and ATLiens. Plan to see his name a lot more on show and festival flyers in 2019.
INZO
If you’re a fan of bubbly future bass with pizzazz and spunk, you’re likely going to have INZO on repeat for the remainder of the day (or year). His vibrant productions add some much-needed color and life to a saturated market of pop-laden electronic tunes. With key taste-makers like Proximity and Trap Nation onboard with the sound, the future looks promising. He’s opened for the likes of Illenium and Porter Robinson, and certainly has the talent to rise to headliner status. Give the above remix a play or two, INZO is on the cusp of making some power moves.
