Following a 2023 full of huge breakouts – if perhaps a lack of classic albums, 2024 is poised to be a shapeshifting year of popular music, with fresh faces and returning favourites set to take centre stage. We’ve delved deep into our archives to round up 15 of our Wonders To Watch for the new year: a mixture of raw newcomers and cemented artists who could hit the stratosphere this annum.

Take in our picks below…

Key 2023 Track: “Juice” ft. SamRecks

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: West London’s silkiest spitter Ashbeck has been a mainstay in the underground for the past few years. Known for his collaborative tapes with producers like El London and Billzonthebeat, this year saw the young rapper drop heater after heater, including fiery joint ventures with fellow alt frontrunners like Rushy and SamRecks. With the scene shouting increasingly loudly about Ashbeck, a big hit or two this year could see him breakthrough into the wider rap scene.

FFO: Knucks, Sam Wise, Joe James

Key 2023 Track: “In The Dark”

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: From being a standout voice in London’s hottest collective Nine8 to stylistically diverse features and an impressive solo catalogue, Biig Piig can do it all. Following another impressive year, in which she unveiled the eclectic and emotional EP “Bubblegum,” and showed up at pretty much every festival around, it feels like Biig Piig is due a big breakthrough moment, and this could well be her year to explode in a blaze of mainstream adoration.

FFO: SAULT, Arlo Parks, Ama Lou

Key 2023 Track: “Us Against The World” ft. Digga D

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: Often, UK rap in 2023 is easy to criticise for being derivative, bland and formulaic, but South London’s introverted wordsmith Strandz avoids the label with ease. He brings an old school, groove-laden and soulful touch to his instrumentals and a vivid lyricism that touches on romantic musings, the adversity he witnessed and experienced growing up, and a hustler mentality that he has ascertained. We’ve had plenty of potent singles from the MC; this year is surely project o’clock – can it live up to the hype? Most likely.

FFO: Potter Payper, Giggs, Nines

Key 2023 Track: “Easy”

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: Tamil-Swiss singer-songwriter Priya Ragu is had a huge 2023, including a rousing second record and an impressive COLORS showing. A spearheading figure in South Asian representation in the UK industry, Ragu is going strength to strength as a writer and performer, and her sonic vibrance will see her rise only higher in 2024.

FFO: Miraa May, Hope Tala, RAYE

Key 2023 Track: “free flow”

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: Dreamy alternative pop crooner Kamal. feels like a star waiting in the wings. He’s collaborated with Dave, seen great success with a debut album, and walks the wobbly tightrope of commercially viable and artistically articulate with seeming ease. His sound is US friendly – the right track could see them rise into global conversations.

FFO: Dominic Fike, Bakar, Kevin Abstract

Key 2023 Track: “Nothing Matters”

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: Guitar music’s next big thing The Last Dinner Party are here to save indie from its slow and tedious death. The five-piece all girl group released one of the anthems of the year with “Nothing Matters,” their very first song on DSPs (I know, crazy right), and will be showcasing their talent in full on Prelude To Ecstasy, their highly anticipated debut record, set for release February 1st.

FFO: Wet Leg, Wolf Alice, HAIM

Key 2023 Track: “’86 Carolina West”

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: The smoothest new crooner West of stateside, Seafood Sam brings a lot more to the table than just his fantastic alias. He’s floated around for a few years now, but last year’s “Afros In The Wind” EP saw him deliver the most cohesive and expressive sonic volume of his career. We look forward to seeing what sonic dish Sam serves up next.

FFO: Navy Blue, MIKE, Westside Gunn

Key 2023 Track: “Theatre”

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: Jazz school drop out Etta Marcus has metamorphosed into one of the most captivating singer-songwriters in the UK. Last year saw a stellar second EP and a smattering of slick singles that flaunted Marcus’ seamless hit-making ability. Leading a crop of daring and devastating female artists taking over the UK indie scene, Marcus is sure to rise up festival bills and see increasing success with her anthemic, thoughtful and resourceful sound.

FFO: Lucy Dacus, Samia, Billie Marten

Key 2023 Track: “Nasty”

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: i was mature for my age, but i was still a child, was one of the most overlooked records of 2023. Genreless trio grouptherapy. are cut from the BROCKAMPTON cloth in terms of their resolute individuality and stylistic obscurity, but truly stand out as one of the most fiercely unique acts to emerge from US rap in the past few years. Hopefully they keep up the momentum, and play their part in the continued evolution of a US scene, which needs its visionary artists to step up now more than ever.

FFO: BROCKAMPTON, Injury Reserve, Rejjie Snow

Key 2023 Track: “Little Blue Moon”

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: 2023 was something of a quiet year for R&B trailblazer Jaz Karis, but her November single “Little Blue Moon” reminded us of her soaring talent. This year looks set to be Karis’ biggest to date, with career-defining moments in the pipeline.

FFO: Mereba, Ari Lennox, Mahalia

Key 2023 Track: “Kissing Booth” (Under Jacob Slater)

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: Wunderhorse plucks from each generation of UK rock music with ease. On their terrific, rampantly emotional ’22 debut LP, Cub, there is punk, garage, indie, soft rock and folk influences, wrapped up gorgeously in a bow of supreme songwriting and fantastic performances. Frontman and band visionary Jacob Slater kept fans thirsty in 2023 with the release of his subtle, acoustic-driven and gorgeously heartbreaking solo LP Pinky, I Love You, and now a sophomore Wunderhorse record feels inevitable for 2024. Primed to sell out increasingly vast venues with their stadium ready sound, 2024 could well see Jacob and co become one of the UK’s biggest band exports of the decade to date.

FFO: Fontaines D.C., Bloc Party, Sonic Youth

Key 2023 Track: “Unlikely”

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: Rich, warm, soulful: these are words Bel Cobain knows well. Last year’s gorgeous debut EP “Radical Forgiveness” cemented the excitement that surrounded the hotly-tipped singer-songwriter, and saw her portray the complexity of life with impressive cohesion. Amongst the most pinnacle voices of the new wave, if Cobain stays consistent she can go to the very top.

FFO: JGrrey, Etta Bond, Lex Amor

Key 2023 Track: “Catching Your Pearls”

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: Avant-garde, eclectic and gloriously weird, Ethan P. Flynn allows you into his world of caricatures and cadence through visceral songwriting, erratic instrumentation and welcomingly hollow vocals. Last year’s debut LP, Abandon All Hope is eclectic and endearing, oozing a sort of desperate effervescence, complex and captivating. A debut album will surely come next.

FFO: Black Country, New Road, Elliot Smith, Car Seat Headrest

Key 2023 Track: “Holly”

Why They Are A Wonder To Watch: The latest Irish MC to disrupt the UK’s self-obsession, Dublin’s Archy Moor is overdue his flowers. Slick with the flows, thoughtful with his bars, backed by creamy and sultry beats, he is as charismatic and articulate as any rapper you’re likely to come across. Last year saw him find consistency with two EPs – what will 2024 bring?

FFO: Rejjie Snow, Mick Jenkins, Kojaque