Music

20 Breakthrough Artists of 2013

Haim, Lorde, Disclosure. Did you know them last year? Many didn't. Now everyone does.

Written by Richard S. Chang

11 min readPublished on 16.07.2017 · 13:40 UTC

When Lorde stepped onto the stage at the Roseland Ballroom to join Haim for a cover of Sheryl Crow's 'Strong Enough' during VH1's 'You Oughta Know' special, it might have signaled the biggest moment in pop music since Miley dryhumped Beetlejuice at the MTV VMAs (and maybe rivaled only by Kanye telling Sway, "You ain't got the answers, man! You ain't got the answers!").

But a year ago, most of the world didn't know one Haim sister from the other, and maybe thought Lorde was a new character in 'Game Of Thrones.'

Haim didn't come out of nowhere. And Lorde was five years in the making. Like many of the breakthrough artists on our list below, they spent years toiling. Jon Hopkins has five albums to his credit (and co-produced albums for Coldplay); Kacey Musgraves has released four. But in one way or another, all of these artists reached a level of success this year that's far beyond what came before in their careers. So behold, our 20 breakthrough artists of the year.

1. Charli XCX

Charli XCX transitioned from Internet Pop to the mainstream this year when she released the danceably fun album, 'True Romance,' after which she hit the festivals with one of the reliably best sets of the summer. The young Brit also wrote what continues to be one of the biggest songs around, at least in commercials and stadiums: 'I Love It' by Icona Pop. When you're writing pop songs for Swedish artists, you know you've made it.

When the needle moved: January 10, when she first shared the song 'You (Ha Ha Ha),' off 'True Romance.'

2. Flume

Australian EDM artist Flume began the year with the US release of his self-titled debut album on Mom+Pop Records. He ended the year with a killer remix collection (The Mixtape) that includes collaborations with the likes of Freddie Gibbs, Killer Mike and Ghostface Killah.

When the needle moved: February 21, the release of his debut album in the US. By then, his singles 'Holdin On' and 'Sleepless' were already rising up the charts in Oz.

3. Palma Violets

When you've opened up for the Rolling Stones, had Johnny Marr dedicating songs to you, and packed the main stage at Lollapalooza during a daytime set, you know you've had a pretty decent career. All of that happened to the Palma Violets this year.

When the needle moved: February 25, when Palma Violets dropped their debut album '180.' In a few months they developed a big enough following in the US to fill one of the main stages at Lollapalooza.

4. Waxahatchee

A couple of years ago, twin sisters Katie and Allison Crutchfield, who were in several bands together, went their separate ways. Katie, whom we named one of the 30 best guitarists under 30, got her project off the ground first, producing her first Waxahatchee album, 'Ameican Weekend,' in 2012. This year, she released the stellar 'Cerulean Salt,' a collection of 11 honest, pared-down songs that were universally hailed as some of the best of the year. Next year, it may be Allison's turn.

When the needle moved: March 5, when Katie released her second album, 'Cerulean Salt.'

5. New Miley Cyrus

Sure, 'Bangerz' didn't impress as much as the hype building up to it did. But that hype was pretty powerful stuff, as it introduced the world to the blond, tongue-wagging, derriere-twerking incarnation of the woman who was once Hannah Montana. Remember, there was a time not too long ago when a leaked video of Miley smoking pot was considered controversial.

When the needle moved: March 14, when we were privvy to video of Miley twerking in a unicorn onesie. Miley and twerking were inseparable after that.

6. Savages

When you think of fast-rising IT bands, rarely does it involve an avante-garde post-punk outfit with a propensity toward making long concept videos based on reverberating fuzz. But that's exactly what Savages are -- a second-coming of Siouxsie and the Banshees.

When the needle moved: March 14, when Savages played the Pitchfork showcase in Austin. After the festival there were two bands that music journalists could not stop fawning over. Savages was one of them. The other one was...

7. Haim

Haim, the sisters behind the hair that's graced a thousand style magazines, released one of the best albums of the year in 'Days Are Gone,' an achievement built on catchy '80s-influenced pop songs. They toured seemingly nonstop, winning fans with an often-head-banging live show and savvy cover song selections (including a synth-driven version of Miley's 'Wrecking Ball' on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge). They'll headline some pretty big venues early next year on their US tour.

When the needle moved: March 15, when Haim, who had released the video for 'Falling' in February, played the Filter Showdown in Austin. It was the beginning of a long stretch on the road -- mostly at festivals -- giving everyone around the world a chance to really see what makes the band so great -- their incredible live show.

8. Kacey Musgraves

When anyone finds success at the tender age of 25, it's tough to say that they've tread a long road. But Kacey Musgraves has drudged a long road to her well-deserved CMA New Artist of the Year award. From 2002-'07, Musgraves released three self-produced albums before entering the USA Network 'American Idol'-like series 'Nashville Star,' in which she finished seventh. It would be another five years before Musgraves signed a record deal with Mercury Nashville, which released 'Same Trailer, Different Park,' an album noted for its honest portrayal of small-town life -- and too honest for some. The single 'Follow Your Arrow' includes the lines: "So make lots of noise / Kiss lots of boys / Or kiss lots of girls/If that’s something you’re into / And if the straight and narrow gets a little too straight / Roll up a joint, or don’t / And follow your arrow wherever it points." We might be in the midst of Taylor Swift, part deux, with more edge.

When the needle moved: March 19, when Musgraves released her album 'Same Trailer, Different Park.'

9. Ariana Grande

Once an actor in the teen Nickelodeon show 'Victorious,' Ariana Grande now stars in that sit-com's spinoff, 'Sam & Cat.' So of course her '90s influenced debut album, 'Yours Truly,' was destined to suck, right? Wrong. The album is surprisingly refreshing, and nearly all of it is anchored by Grande's powerful voice, which has many critics comparing to Mariah Carey. Grande, who will release a Christmas EP this month, can apparently do no wrong. 'Sam & Cat' is even getting some decent reviews from unlikely sources.

When the needle moved: March 26, when she released the Mac Miller-featured single 'The Way.'

10. Rudimental

Disclosure may have hit headlining status first, but fellow UK electronic group Rudimental aren't too far behind. They topped the charts in the UK with their debut album, 'Home,' which includes the UK number one singles, 'Feel The Love,' 'Not giving In,' and 'Waiting All Night.'

When the needle moved: April 4, when the group, who were already somewhat of a rising artist in the UK, released the powerful video for their song 'Waiting All Night.' The video features documentary footage of BMX pro Kurt Yaeger, who lost his left leg in a motorcycle accident, as he struggles to get back onto his bike.

11. Chance the Rapper

We caught Chance the Rapper at our Red Bull Sound Select showcase in Austin way back in March, and our content producer, Elliott Moran, who is typically very reserved with his compliments, said right then and there, "I really like Chance the Rapper." Now as Chance continues his first headlining tour -- to sold-out venues -- Elliott won't let us forget his prescience. BBC has jumped on the bandwagon, tapping the Red Bull Sound Select artist for their Sound of 2014 longlist.

When the needle moved: April 30, when Chance the Rapper dropped his outstanding 'Acid Rap' mixtape (no, he doesn't even have an album yet).

12. Imagine Dragons

According to Spotify, Imagine Dragons' 'Radioactive' was the most streamed track on the site in the US this year.

When the needle moved: May 3, when they released 'Radioactive,' the second single off their debut album 'Night Visions.'

13. Banks

Banks was Jillian Banks when the year started. But by February, she had dropped her first song, 'Fall Over,' along with her first name. More songs followed -- soulful ballads set against a backdrop of cool beats created by some of the edgiest producers in Britain, like SOHN and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. By the time she released her EP, 'London,' Banks had already appeared in Vogue and Interview. A tour supporting The Weeknd followed, and a full-length is expected in 2014. Just to think, we had her in the Red Bull Studios LA way back when.

When the needle moved: May 13, when she released the song 'Warm Water' (produced by T.E.E.D.) on SoundCloud. While her first two SoundCloud releases ('Fall Over' and 'Before I Ever Met You') picked up notice, 'Warm Water' came with an elevated publicity campaign that set the stage for her EP release.

14. Disclosure

After an EP and a few singles, Disclosure, two brothers, Guy and Howard Lawrence, from England, began dropping new singles and videos from their debut 'Settle,' which was, in full, ahem, disclosure, recorded in part at Red Bull Studios London. But there's no favoritism here, as evidenced by their Mercury Prize nomination.

When the needle moved: May 24, a week before the release of 'Settle,' when the album was shared digitally -- and nearly broke the Internet.

15. Jon Hopkins

Another Mercury Prize nominee here... actually, a two-timer. But there's no doubt that this was a breakout year for Jon Hopkins as a solo artist. If you want to know more about the Brian Eno and Coldplay collaborator, just read our recent Big Story, in which our associate editor Elliott Sharp spent one long, fast day with the artist.

When the needle moved: June 4, when Hopkins released the album 'Immunity,' which would go on to be nominated for the Mercury Prize.

16. Hudson Mohawke

Yes, another Brit. This former Red Bull Music Academy participant has been bubbling below the surface in the underworld of electronic music for a while. But when word leaked that the young Scotsman was a producer on Kanye West's 'Yeezus' album, that all changed. Since then, TNGHT, Mohawke's partnership with producer Lunice, has been selling out major venues from LA to New York City.

When the needle moved: June 10, when Hudson shared 'Blood on the Leaves' from 'Yeezus' at the Parklife festival. Suddenly, as Kanye fans kept one eye on projections on buildings, they kept another on the Web and HudMo to see what he would drop next.

17. Chvrches

Chvrches were longlisted last year by the BBC for its Sound of 2013 award, and the band quickly signed to Glassnote in January, a mere six months after they played their first-ever show. Their EP 'Recover,' released in March only built up hype for their full-length, 'The Bones Of What You Believe,' released in September.

When the needle moved: June 19, when they performed 'The Mother We Share' on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.'

18. A$AP Ferg

Things happened fast for A$AP Ferg this year. He signed to RCA and Polo Grounds in January and released 'Trap Lord' in August. The debut album reached number nine on the Billboard 200, and Complex named the lead single, 'Shabba,' as the third best song of 2013. No one may be more surprised at this success than A$AP Ferg, who didn't show up to the BET Hip-Hop Awards in October to pick up his Best New Artist trophy because he didn't think he was going to win.

When the needle moved: July 16, when Ferg released the song and video for 'Shabba' featuring A$AP Rocky.

19. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

By the time 2013 is over, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis will be at the top (or very close to it) in most music sales and search categories. In fact, 'Thrift Shop,' their anthem for recycled threads, had sold 5.6 million copies in the first six months of the year. But not only did the duo dominate the charts (and the MTV VMAs), their song 'Same Love' became a theme song for supporters of same-sex marriages.

When the needle REALLY moved: August 2, when Tegan and Sara joined Macklemore & Ryan Lewis on stage at the Osheaga Festival in Montreal to sing 'Same Love.'

20. Lorde

Even though Lorde was signed years ago when she was 12 years old, the now-17-year-old New Zealand singer didn't begin releasing tracks until this year. It started with her short 'The Love Club' EP. 'Pure Heroine,' her debut LP, which was released September 30, was followed by a string of memorable live performances, including a set on the 'Late Show With David Letterman' and the aforementioned on-stage collaboration with Haim on VH1's 'You Oughta Know' special in November.

When the needle moved: August 6, when Lorde performed at the Poisson Rouge in New York City, her first live show in the United States. She captured the crowd with songs from her 'Love Club' EP as well as new tunes from her then-upcoming album, 'Pure Heroine.'

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