Can you feel it? The world is changing and 2017 has been living proof that it’s happening right before our eyes. Still, these changes have been arriving in a mixed bag: the positive news have often been delivered with bitter pills to swallow. Strangely, it seems that uncertain times always make the music sound so much better. Whether artists are embracing a politically active role, making a social statement, or just providing us with plain fun, they are all part in writing history leaving us with a sonic photograph of the times we are living.
The team at Europavox has been working hard to unearth all the different voices that have been sprouting in our continent and has fine picked a selection of 2017’s most notable acts. We split this top by countries so you can go travel the map through the sounds of some of the most talented artists. Get to know Austria through the cloud R&B sound of Wandl or visit the Netherlands through the warm electronic productions of Weval —and that is just the beginning. This year brought forth a lot of undeniable talent, so get ready for this trip. Pick a music genre or a country of your choice or just close your eyes and click randomly. While you’re having fun, we’ll be getting ready to discover everything that 2018 has in store for us.
TOP POP BANDS 2017
Témé Tan
“ A new voice in Belgian music, inspired by travelling the world ”
5K HD
“ be prepared for a quintet which knows how to improvise and always show different facets of their own songs ”
Kiol
“ Sometimes smooth, sometimes a little rude, just like the touch of a lover. ”
ba.
“ Intense alternative rock performed by the band that takes no prisoners. ”
Barbagallo
“ Pop songs which shine brighter than the sun, by Tame Impala’s drummer. ”
ADNA
“ Guitar-driven, soft and melancholic folk music from Sweden. ”
Helgi Jonsson
“ Music inspired by the vast landscapes, sea and mountains of Iceland. ”
When ‚Airy Met Fairy
“ If Roisin Murphy was the sister of Thor writing wonderful dark pop songs. ”
Black Oak
“ Pastoral folk, great harmonies: the Dutch Fleet Foxes. ”
Nils Bech
“ Experimental avant-garde pop with a vulnerable falsetto. ”
Moonlight Breakfast
“ Nostalgic vocals with a retro-electro jazzy feeling. ”
Bulp
“ The strength of the sibling duo lies in their chilly beats ”
Širom
“ Avant-garde acoustic folk trance, played on instruments you can’t pronounce. ”
Albin Lee Meldau
“ A Swedish extraordinary singer-songwriter, with an extraordinary voice. ”
Sandor
“ A lover’s kiss blended with the burning finish of a single malt. ”
TOP ROCK BANDS 2017
shame
“ Debatable not relatable; the angry riposte of teenage angst. ”
Them Moose Rush
“ Fresh trio changing the perception of how modern rock sounds! ”
Omega Ray
“ Imagine Syd Barrett, Frank Zappa and Sun Ra forming a band… and playing in an ancient Greek tragedy. Psychedelic paganism without catharsis. ”
Julie’s Haircut
“ The most important, and the most adventurous, psychedelic band from Italy ”
Garbanotas
“ A cosmic mix of guitar riffs and dreamy vocals, with a hippyish vibe ”
St. Tropez
“ Heady blend of punk rock’s rawness and the French Riviera’s beau monde. ”
Okkultokrati
“ Metal with elements of punk. Or the other way around ! ”
Trupa Trupa
“ A friendly drugless meeting between the Beatles and Sonic Youth. ”
Repetitor
“ A high-octane blast of loudness and energy, this trio leads the assault of new Balkan rock. ”
Zeal & Ardor
“ Gospel, black-metal. It sounds even better than what you could imagine. ”
HMLTD
“ The lovechild of David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, raised in a squat on a diet of punk and disco. ”
TOP URBAN BANDS 2017
Wandl
“ Key producer of Viennese cloud rap/post-swag, buzzing big in Europe with his golden voice and lit beats. ”
Roméo Elvis
“ The most talented Belgian MC, with a deep voice, melancholic beats, clever lyrics and balls. ”
Rejjie Snow
“ The unique Irish accent squeezes through the hazy, jazz fusion melodies, offering a glimpse into where Rejjie is headed. ”
Rosalie.
“ The wonder woman with a black soul, white hair and unique voice. ”
Noah Kin
“ A force of nature, a rolling stone constantly making new tunes, conquering new stages. ”
Rusangano Family
“ The forefront of a new wave of talented, innovative Irish hip hop acts. ”
Lido
“ A self-taught multi-instrumentalist from a small windblown town. ”
Conjunto Corona
“ Linear narrative nonsense hip hop: the groovy but bizarre life of Corona. ”
Matter
“ The band that made Slovenian hip-hop matter again. ”
John Grvy
“ The perfect fusion between aged soul and the most up-to-date electronic music. ”
Mura Masa
“ The cutting edge of the Soundcloud generation; future hits distilled by post-millenials. ”
Borka
“ Meet Borka – one of Ljubljana’s finest producers, who’s sampling and chopping just to make your heads bob. ”
The Excitements
“ The purity of old soul music, tanned by the Mediterranean sun ”
TOP ELECTRO BANDS 2017
Ogris Debris
“ The duo has prepped for the big stage with a poppy yet artistic club album. ”
Haring
“ When electro rhymes with poetry, skydiving and an emotional elevator. ”
Jacques
“ Crazy, concrete house music by a DIY strange genius. ”
Beissoul & Einius
“ Seductive electronic pop with outlandish visual presentation. ”
Midi Lidi
“ Minimalist electronica and surreal sense of humor: a must-see. ”
Christian Löffler
“ ‚Melancholy with euphoria‘: Germany’s electronic music forefront. ”
Hataah
“ Global bass, tribal rhythms and surprising new details. ”
David44
“ As cold and pristine as the glaciers of his home country, emotive and infectious pop. ”
Bandmaster
“ Latvia’s answer to Boards of Canada and SBTRKT. ”
Weval
“ A stylish and smart musical massage for body and soul. ”
Bearoid
“ Musical dreams in form of pop pills written by a young Spanish David Lynch. ”
DBFC
“ Anglo-French duo joins forces for exciting soundscapes. ”
