This isn’t me having a perve (OK, it totally is, but these boys literally sound as good as they look), it’s just that I’ve noticed a bit of a trend of late; a rise in young male musical talent.
While the gals have given us the likes of Little Mix, the guys are wowing us with unique vocals, songwriting skillz, retro vibes and super sharp dressing, that not only makes us wonder where all the female talent is *assembles Le Blow’s version of The Ronnettes immediately* but also: Are we too old to fancy them? WHAT!
Call it the ‘Jake Bugg’ effect, but there is definitely an uprising in boys making noise…
John Newman
Age: 23
John Newman recently scored a UK number one with Love Me Again, so we don’t need to tell you too much about him, but you most probably recognise his soulful voice from Rudimental’s massive 2012 singles Feel The Love and Not Giving In.
He started playing guitar and writing songs at the age of 14 and soon learned how to record and produce himself, even making his own house tracks and DJing. Aged 20 he moved to London from Yorkshire, started a band, played live and got signed to Island Records. He even recently overcame a brain tumour. Blimes.
I saw him play an early set at this year’s Lovebox Festival and it kicked OFF for Love Me Again, whatta tune! I espesh love the nod to Mod and Northern Soul in the video (as well as the phat piano riff, obvs).
John Newman – Love me Again
Ruen Brothers
Ages: 22 and 23
FACT FANS: Their surname’s not Ruen (it’s Stansall) but they ARE brothers. Rupert and Henry amalgamated their forenames to become the Ruen Brothers, y’see.
The brothers’ reinvention of early 60s beat music is foot-tappingly, head-shakingly awesome and their rise has been as sharp as the Winklepickers they wear. Think Roy Orbison-esque vocals and Walker Brothers turtlenecks and you’e not far off.
Having played the pubs of Scunthorpe since 2008, the pair have recently – and suddenly, it seems – taken off, signing a big deal label deal with Universal-Island.
They played the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury this year (where Jake Bugg appeared back in 2011) and I saw them at their sell-out London show at Electrowerkz earlier this month. I’ll freely admit, I shook my beehive like a badass, and felt like I’d Quantum Leaped back to 1964.
Their debut single Aces was exactly that (ACE), and the new track Walk Like a Man (not a Four Seasons cover) is all twanging guitars and a helluva harmonica. Defo ones to watch.
Ruen Brothers – Walk Like A Man
The Strypes
Ages: 15-17 years
Add up all the ages of The Strypes and I’m quite possibly older than the total sum. I’ll freely admit, I don’t know loads about these lads, and it was their threads rather than tunes which initially caught my eye.
What I do know is this: The four lads hail from Ireland, they’ve spent the last 18 months gigging and developing their pacey R&B sound PLUS Paul Weller loves them. What more do you need to know? Look out for the debut album Snapshot, to be released in September.
The Strypes – Hometown Girls
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