2014 Hype / Video: Hide - FKA Twigs

FKA Twigs was getting all sorts of hot love in 2013 following the release of her excellent track Water Me. There is something intriguingly oblique about both London-based artist Tahliah Barnett's music and identity but based on the amount of hype building for her forthcoming material, increased fortunes seem somewhat guaranteed.

This live video courtesy of label Young Turks and Dazed Digital doesn't pack quick the same musical punch for me but it sure proves FKA Twigs packs Personality with a capital-P.

If you haven’t done so already check out the video for Water Me:

More hype here. Listen to more hyped songs on Spotify.

2014 Hype: Jungle

More hype for your ears in the form of Jungle, the mysterious duo who have been hyped for the last few months of 2013 and seemed destined to tip over into the big time in 2014. There's a slinky funk to their sound that melds smooth soul with an trace of aggressiveness. Think OutKast meets TV On The Radio.

They also make pretty awesome videos. Enjoy.

Don't forget to check out the 2014 hype Spotify playlist and the other posts in this series.

Video: Wanderlust - Wild Beasts

Ahead of their new album Present Tense, due out on Domino on February 24, Wild Beasts have released the video for lead single Wanderlust. It feels like a departure for Wild Beasts, more electronic and there is a more solemn and ominous atmosphere.

The co-production on the album comes from Lexxx and Brian Eno portégé Leo Abrahams. The press release says we should expect a step-change in production once the album drops, and if this is anything to go by then I'm excited. Cue my jazz hands.

Video: Avant-Guarded - Curxes

Sometimes I just want to drown out the outside world and everybody in it. And when I do, I now know how: I simply play Avant-Guarded by Curxes, which feels like someone is vomiting into my ears. And I'm loving it.

Curxes were in the Hype Machine list of bands to watch for 2013, alongside CHVRCHES (obvs) and Haim (even more obvs), but this is their first track in eight months. They are apparently a blitz-pop band, which must be a thing now but I have never heard it before. Basically they sound like Sleigh Bells.

Good luck washing the vomit out of your ears.

Video: Green and Gold - Lanterns on the Lake

I've only just discovered Lanterns on the Lake and their wonderful Until The Colours Run album, but I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that it's one of 2013's best kept secrets. Check out this video of a live piano version of Green and Gold recorded for the Generator Sessions and see what you think.

You can stream Until The Colours Run on Spotify: