Little Indie's Ones To Watch 2021 Part 4

2020 may have been something of a damp squib in terms of everything, not least the music world. But, nevertheless, we still managed to find a whole host of new artists emerging as well as those who first raised their heads a little earlier shining through.

We asked a few of our contributors to give us a handful of acts that have been impressing them and who they are earmarking for more attention in 2021.

Here in Part 4, Sam Geary shares some recommended choices.

Holly Humberstone

Grantham, Lincs-based singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone was named in the prestigious BBC Sound of 2021 longlist, following her acclaimed debut EP 'Falling Asleep at the Wheel' - which has already amassed over 50 million streams. Still just 21, her lyrical observations exploring mental health and romantic relationships show a profound maturity.

The Rills

Indie post-punks The Rills dropped a summer banger 'The Angler' in July last year, and ended 2020 with 'Stardog'. The London-via-Lincoln outfit drop ear-grabbing riffs and frontman Mitch Spencer has the style and savvy signature vocal to offer something that is as good for a mosh, as it is very infectious.

Courting

This young Liverpool four-piece Courting dropped a run of singles last year, and this year they are ready to unveil EP 'Grand National' via Nice Swan Records. They deliver fast-paced gems that hit the spot musically and lyrically, with frontman Sean Murphy-O’Neill embodying Scouse humour.

Yard Act

Credit: James Brown

Yard Act have already made a start on conquering 2021 with the follow-up to last year's 'Peanuts'. The post-punk quartet's 'Dark Days' sees the Leeds-based band once again hauling their distinctive sound to the fore; melding jagged, snaking riffs with the drawled vocal delivery of James Smith, that encapsulates wry storytelling.

Ashnikko

Ashton Nicole Casey, better known as Ashnikko, is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper, who took off in 2019 with single 'Stupid' with Yung Baby Tate, which gained viral popularity on the video-sharing platform TikTok. Self-described as “angry, punk, hip-hop, bubble-gum, sad-girl-feminist,” her debut mixtape 'Demidevil' arrives in February. Expect her name to be on everyone's lips by the summer.