Sound of 2018

It's already that time, when the industry writes off the rest of the year in the quest for the commercial imperative, and starts trying to work out who might be the big names next year. They weren't too clever this year, but there we are.

The longlist

Apparently, pop is the name of the game this time,

Alma
Billie Eilish
IAMDDB
Jade Bird
Khalid
Lewis Capaldi
Nilüfer Yanya
Not3s
Pale Waves
Rex Orange County
Sam Fender
Sigrid
Superorganism
Tom Walker
Yaeji
Yxng Bane

Alma, Khalid and Sigrid have all had hits of course...

The shortlist of 3 for the Brits' Critics Choice have been named now:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42164238

And they are

Jorja Smith
Mabel aka Neneh Cherry's daughter
Stefflon Don

Steffie has already had good success this year, but I'd think either of the other two is more likely to be given the final nod.

Jorja Smith got the nod for Critic's Choice.

The Sound of 2018 countdown took place this week:

5 - Pale Waves
4 - Khalid (already a star)
3 - IAMDDB
2 - Rex Orange County
1 - Sigrid (also already a star)

Sigrid is notable in being one of the few people on the list to use her real name

MTV Brand New 2018 - The Nominees
Well, at least they do 1 a month, so there'll be 12 by the end of the year. This was a short effort to show some of those nominated for inclusion (they probably all will be):

Sigrid
Yxng Bane
Mabel ft Kojo Funds
Jessie Reyez
Bad Sounds
Pale Waves
Not3s

Most of whom already had hits last year. I don't care for that trend of using numbers instead of letters in idiomatic kookiness

Sigrid and Jorja Smith made an immediate impact with their first top 40 singles this week, which does beg the question what had held them back before, when they had plenty of media support.

Troye Sivan also made his solo top 40 debut this week, having previously featured on a Martin Garrix record. He's been around a good few years too.

Seem a quieter bunch than some years; Sigrid, Mabel and Khalid pulling up the most trees as yet, but then they had already made a start last year.

Jorja Smith's album is out this week, so we'll see.

Sigrid's follow-up to her top 10 breakthrough hasn't cracked the top 40.

Box Fresh's Fresh Forward- 2018's Best Bits
Presenter Vick Hope reflects on guests from the year's show, and interviews Lauv and Julia Michaels. Footage of Tom Walker, Grace Carer, Jorja Smith and Kojo Funds in performance, and some video chat from Alessia Cara. Also some spots from the Great Escape Festival, with Kat Cunning, Ady Suleiman and Tom Grennan.