While 2016 brought us the loss of many musical legends, it also brought the emergence of new talent. Many of the buzziest new bands and artists of 2016 are set to release their debut albums in 2017, and these are the ones we can’t wait to dive into.  

Sundara Karma- Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect

From Reading, UK,  four piece Sundara Karma combines sticky guitar melodies, sing along choruses, and feel good vibes to create infectious indie-rock tunes like “She Said” and “Flame.”  After releasing various singles and EPs throughout 2015 and 2016, the debut album Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect will arrive later this week on Friday, January 6th.  The band spent the better part of 2016 on the road, playing major UK festivals like Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds Festival before touring the US in the fall as part of the BBC Music Presents tour with Spring King and Izzy Bizu.  Lead singer Oscar Lulu and the group displayed a magnetic stage presence when we caught their set at The Bottom Lounge in November.

Catch Them Live: Sundara Karma have yet to announce any US tour dates, but they’ll no doubt be back before the year is up.  If you’re in the UK, make sure to attend one of their album release events.  Full tour dates can be found at sundara-karma.co.uk.

For Fans Of: Spring King, Coasts, The Hunna

Get ready for the album by watching the video for “Flame” 

Release Date: January 6th, 2017.  Preorder here.

MUNA - About U

Producers and multi-instrumentalists Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson (AKA the Indie pop-trio MUNA) manage to create pop music with a message with songs that make you want to dance while also instilling a sense of belonging and empowerment.  The ladies of MUNA have never been afraid to use their platform to speak up on political or social issues, an element that also comes across in their music.  The group spent 2016 touring with the likes of Borns and Grouplove, and we managed to catch their stellar set a handful of times during Lollapalooza week. After hearing some of the new songs live, we can’t wait to have studio versions of the songs on the debut album About U, out February 3rd. 

Catch Them Live: MUNA will tour the US in February in support of the album. Chicago, catch them at The Subterranean on February 18th.  

For Fans Of:  Empress Of, Blood Orange, LÉON

Get ready for the album by checking out the video for “Loudspeaker”

Release Date: February 3rd, 2017 Preorder here. 

Sampha - Process

Known for his instantly recognizable, rich vocals and stand-out beats, the South London based producer and singer-songwriter Sampha has been making music since 2009.  Since then, Sampha has worked on collaborations with the likes of Jessie Ware, Drake, SBTRKT, and Lil Silva.  Now, 2017 finally brings a debut full length from Sampha, with tracks including his 2016 singles “Blood On Me” and “Timmy’s Prayer.”  

For Fans Of: Jai Paul, SBTRKT, James Blake

Catch Him Live: Sampha will be touring all over the world in early 2017, with UK, US, European, and Australian dates announced so far.  Chicago, catch him at Metro on February 6th. View all of the dates here. 

Get ready for next month’s release by watching the video for “Blood On Me” 

Release Date: February 3rd, 2017. Preorder here. 

Rationale- Rationale

The London based, Zimbabwe-born singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Rationale has provided a steady drip of genre-defying music since 2015, from his gripping debut single “Fast Lane” to his latest earworm “Vessels,” released in early December.  After playing his first round of American tour dates and UK festivals throughout the summer, Rationale spent the fall supporting Bastille on an arena tour, performing new tracks from the upcoming albums for fans.  Although the self-titled debut from Rationale was originally set to be released in September, the album is now expected in March of this year, and we can’t wait to hear the new tracks.  

For Fans Of: Jamie Woon, Jack Garratt, Gallant

Catch Him Live: Rationale has yet to announce any US dates for 2017, but he rejoins Bastille for the second leg of their European arena tour, and he’s got his own headline dates in the UK in January.  Check out the tour dates on his website. 

Get ready for the album by watching the video for “Something For Nothing” 

Release Date: March 3, 2017. Preorder here. 

Kacy Hill- TBD

Kacy Hill first turned heads with the alluring debut single “Foreign Fields” in 2015.  That year also brought her stunning 6-track  EP, titled Bloo.  While she toured supporting Jack Garratt in early 2016 and released her next single “Lion” in the summer, Kacy remained relatively quiet for the second half of 2016...which we’re hoping means new music ASAP.  The singer-songwriter has confirmed via her twitter that new music is on the way, going as far to promise she will deliver her debut album in 2017.  No tour dates are announced at the moment either, but we know new album means tour...Fingers crossed!

For Fans Of: Kiiara, Ryn Weaver, BANKS

Get ready for the eventual album release by watching the video for “Foreign Fields” 

Release Date: To be determined

Kevin Garrett- TBD

The soulful Kevin Garrett has been winning us over since 2014 with his falsettos and relatable (and at times, soul-crushing) lyrics. 2015 brought on his debut EP, Mellow Drama, and he spent 2016 touring both on his own and in support of acts like Alessia Cara and Oh Wonder.  And oh yeah, he was one of the writers and producers on Beyonce’s Lemonade. No big deal.  While Kevin hasn’t confirmed a debut album, he did drop a new track, “Precious,” and announce a lengthy US tour in November.  Hopefully this means a debut will happen for KG in 2017. 

For Fans Of: Oh Wonder, James Vincent McMorrow, Jarryd James

Catch Him Live:  Kevin and his band will tour across America through early March.  Check out all the dates here.  Chicago, he’ll be at Lincoln Hall on Thursday, February 2nd.

Get ready for the tour and *hopefully* new music by watching the video for “Precious”

Release Date: To be determined

Maggie Rogers- TBD

With a mostly sold out US tour and an international tour in the books for early 2017, it’s hard to believe Maggie Rogers has only released two songs. But when you listen to her breakout single “Alaska” (which has been hyped by everyone), it’ll all make sense.  In the viral track, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter and producer showcases her vocal range with a falsetto chorus that’s both airy and powerful and a melody guaranteed to get lodged in your brain. We still have yet to hear a date or name for the debut album, but we’re hopeful that all the success will bring new music before the year’s end.

For Fans Of: Wet, Lapsley, Shura

Catch Her Live: Maggie Rogers will tour the US and Europe January through April this year.  Check out all her tour dates here,  and Chicago--make sure you grab your tickets to her show at Lincoln Hall on April 2nd before it’s too late.

Watch the video to go along with the viral track “Alaska” to get ready for Maggie’s tour. 

Release Date: To be determined