In the magazine December 2013 / January 2014

The Class Of 2014, featuring Chlöe Howl, Thumpers, Wolf Alice, MØ & more.

2014 is set to have everything. From the smart to the soothing to the obnoxiously loud, the stars of the next 12 months are a brilliant, often unusual bunch. DIY’s Class Of 2014 contains well-behaved young’uns, former teachers and some actual dropouts. Together, they’re set to ensure that next year is anything but low-key.

The artists and bands in DIY’s Class Of… are all individuals you’ll be seeing a lot more of in the next 12 months. They’re going to be bloody everywhere, and judging by the sheer scale of this year’s Class Of… 2014’s going to be a year of brilliant debut albums aplenty.

Heading up a group of 43 (yes, forty-three) musicians featuring in the new issue of DIY is Chlöe Howl. She made a grand entrance with the cussing, no-prisoners debut single ‘No String’ and she’s kicking up more of a fuss than ever.

Then there’s Wolf Alice, a group who’ve been pelted with eggs, swarmed by 14-year-old fans, held up as the most exciting UK band in an age. 2014 is going to be huge for those guys.

MØ’s gone from punk roots to brash meets and she’s met both distinct sides in the middle with her insane, genre-fusing pop.

Fellow Class Of… members Thumpers are signed to Sub Pop, going giddy with debut album ‘Galore’, ensuring that the next 12 months are defined by punchy, big-ideas songwriting.

Ferocious two piece Royal Blood, production duo Bondax, LA future-superstar BANKS, the already-huge Foxes, Liverpool’s Circa Waves, Chicago school dropouts The Orwells, hairy psych specialists Temples: They’re all in there too.

There’s also interviews with Sam Smith, Sampha, Radkey, Superfood, Fryars, Rosie Lowe, Sivu, Speedy Ortiz, Gems, Arthur Beatrice and approximately 20+ more new bands. It’s the busiest, most excitable guide to the next 12 months you’re likely to find.

If you’re starved of more established acts, DIY’s also got features with Wild Beasts, Katy B and TOY.