BBC Music Sound of 2015 longlist revealed

James Bay, Kwabs and George The Poet are among the names to feature on next year’s BBC Music Sound Of 2015 longlist.

The poll, which aims to predict the artists likely to make a splash over the coming 12 months, mirrors last year in being dominated by solo artists, with Låpsley, Novelist, Rae Morris, Raury, Shamir, Shura, SOAK and Stormzy among the names on the list. The groups Sunset Sons, Wolf Alice, Slaves and Years and Years make up the full longlist.

Singer songwriter James Bay is likely to emerge as the favourite to win – his gentle folk-pop marks him out as in a similar vein to chart favourite Ed Sheeran. Bay also recently received a nomination for the Brits Critics Choice award, along with George The Poet and Years and Years, and it should be noted that last year’s BBC Sound of 2014 poll winner, Sam Smith, won the Brits Critics’ Choice Award too.

Several names stand out from the list. With rock music virtually ignored, the primal, punky sound of duo Slaves set them apart. The Kent group’s music is reminiscent of groups like the Fall, as well as this year’s cult two-piece Sleaford Mods.

Elsewhere, the spoken word music of George The Poet could be likened to that of Kate Tempest. Born George Mpanga, the 23 year old’s journey has taken him from a north London council estate to Cambridge University. Rae Morris is a songwriter from Blackpool who has worked with artists such as classical/dance chart toppers Clean Bandit and indie group Bombay Bicycle Club. Novelist is a teenage grime rapper and producer from South London who is at the forefront of the current grime revival.

Of the 15 artists on the longlist, 13 hail from the UK. Atlanta artist Raury is one of the exceptions, and his intriguing mixture of folk, hip hop and psychedelia makes his sound harder to pin down than most on the list. Sunset Sons feature British and Australian members and have been described, somewhat alarmingly, as being “quite the storm among Europe’s surfing community”.

Around 140 music industry experts were polled by the BBC, including journalists, DJs and bloggers. Past winners have included Adele, Jessie J and Ellie Goulding, as well as the likes of 50 Cent, Keane and Haim.

BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens said: “It’s always an exciting time of year to take stock and look at what might be making us dance, cry and jump for joy into the year ahead. I’m excited because there are a lot of artists I and my fellow DJs have supported on the list, and it’s another great chance to share the music we love with an even bigger audience”.

The winner will be announced on Friday 9 January after a countdown of the top five.