At The Pit London, our passion is discovering the best new music. This ethos runs through everything we do. There are countless exciting, compelling and challenging new acts that we feel like aren’t getting the plaudits that they deserve. Below is the first part of a shortlist of artists, each with under 100k monthly listeners on Spotify, that we believe are the sound of 2022. By the end of the year, we expect these artists to take over. This is your opportunity to catch on early. 

kid apollo 

Current Monthly Listeners: 11,704

Key 2021 Track: lose yourself.

Sound in a Nutshell: Reminiscent and relatable snapshots of youth delivered through poignant, low-key instrumentals

Why they are 1 2 Watch: Tender, nostalgic and Metropolitan, kid apollo are a South London trio with bags of potential. Despite only debuting this year, they have built a steady fan base through their dreamy and heartrending sound that is impossible to pin down. Taking influence from indie, lo-fi, hip hop, R&B and more, singer and writer Jimmy tells sentimental tales of teenage exuberance and young love, with twin brothers Felix and Theo providing wistful instrumentals that masterfully convey the narratives mood and meaning.

Check out their music here

Chartreuse

Current Monthly Listeners: 70,463

Key 2021 Track: Only You 

Sound in a Nutshell: Buttery concoction of jazz, soul and experimental married with emotionally potent lyricism 

Why they are 1 2 Watch: Black Country four-piece Chartreuse, for me, are one of the most faultless new musical acts in the UK. I remember vividly discovering them thanks to their friend and fan Puma Blue, who shared their debut single Three Days on social media, and since that first listen I’ve been hooked. They’ve released three EP’s since then - all outstanding in technique, atmosphere and theme - but they continue to be widely overlooked. Perhaps it’s because they don’t fully fit into a scene - you cannot categorise them as merely jazz, soul or rock, or degrade them to the ‘indie’ label. However, they have a loyal, loving fan base (me very much included) and it is surely only a matter of time until the Midlanders’ big industry breakthrough.

Check out their music here

Downtown Kayoto 

Current Monthly Listeners: 12,283

Key 2021 Track: Karma Called 

Sound in a Nutshell: Boundless creativity brimming with emotion that refuses to be tied down to a specific style

Why they are 1 2 Watch: 2021 was a year significant in merging the outdated lines of ‘genre’. Many artists combined, borrowed and infused elements from different styles to emerge with their own stylistic movement. Downtown Kayto is a perfect example of this. The cheer diversity of his incredibly slept-on 2021 EP ‘NAVIG8’ is downright ridiculous. There’s indie ragers (Karma Called), pop ballads (Proud) and even a DnB breakdown (Helllo World). And that’s without even mentioning the anthemic title track! It’s clear that the Hull creative has a capacious range of influences, which, alongside his ability to ensnare the listener with ear-worm melodies, gives Downtown a vibrant and indefinable musical identity. Chuck in some fervidly captivating lyricism and you’ve got yourself a winning sound.

Check out their music here

MEYY

Current Monthly Listeners: 36,506

Key 2021 Track: Rain

Sound in a Nutshell: Immersive soundscapes highlighting peerless vocality and vivid songwriting

Why they are 1 2 Watch: Not many artists can create and maintain atmosphere like MEYY. Her 4 track EP Neon Angel, which was released in December, is moody, reflective and futuristic, with a couple of excellent features steering the project clear into a lane of its own. Reminiscent of early FKA Twigs but with a firmer influence in R&B, MEYY has an individualistic and boundless sound, an impeccably radiant vocal ability, and a forward thinking visual palette. A pop icon poised to soar right to the top.

Check out their music here

Bert 

Current Monthly Listeners: 1,443

Key 2021 Track: 44 Save All

Sound in a Nutshell: Gentle, introspective hip hop perfect for the rainy afternoons 

Why they are 1 2 Watch: Emerging from the beaches of Brighton is understated newcomer Bert, whose 2021 offerings Settle and 44 Save All illustrated a vitality for subtle melancholy. The singer, rapper and songwriter’s lyrical prowess is gently profound; pensive musings are coated in lighthearted wordplay and wrapped up in nonchalant tone and flow. Bert’s sound has a blatant universal appeal, and with a body of work on the way in the new year, don’t be surprised if Bert starts making his way up festival bills and onto featured playlists.

Check out their music here