BBC SOUND OF 2013: The Longlist

It's time for another year of the BBC Sound Of 2013 - and over the next fortnight, we'll be giving you a briefing / lesson on all of the artist who look set to be big next year (if we're to believe Radio 1, and I strongly advise we trust them).

In previous years, BBC Sound Of... have crowned winners including worldwide superstar Jessie J, soul crooner Michael Kiwanuka, and synth-pop goddess Little Boots - but who will pick up the crown that reads 'big in 2013' for this year?

AlunaGeorge are a London duo that I absolutely adore, and I fully expect them to be contenders for the Sound of 2013 title. Tracks such as 'Your Drums, Your Love' boast a wonderful fusion of RnB, pop and alternative, and done very tastefully too. 

A*M*E is probably 2013's biggest pop hopeful if we're to go by this list. The Sierra-Leone born star, who now resides in London, delivers fun, quirky and cute pop songs, such as 'Play The Game Boy', which has slight touches of growing genre K-Pop. But, if you're expecting her to sound anything like Gangnam Style, you're wrong. She's toured with Jessie J, but will she receive the same Sound Of fate?

Angel Haze is an American rapper, who you could describe as a 2013 version of Azealia Banks (who appeared on the 2012 list herself). 'New York' is such a simple rap track, with a very subtle-beated instrumental, but very strong in it's message, and somehow extremely catchy. If Azealia is anything to by, this equally catchy and slick female rapper should be making headlines in 2013.

Arlissa is a London-based artist who lands herself somewhere between indie and urban in the genre pool. Songs like 'Sticks & Stones' show more of this indie side of her, sounding a little like Florence & The Machine. But, with collaborations with Nas on 'Hard To Love Somebody' help to place her in the urban field. She's got a great crossover sound, and a wonderfully soulful voice. She's edgy, she's cool, she's diverse - what not to love?

CHVRCHES of all the acts on this BBC Sound Of 2013 list, are the act we're most excited for. And, this has been the case ever sense we set our ears upon the electro-goodness that is 'Lies'. With the delivery of 'The Mother We Share', it became clear that this breezy electro sound was going to be something we wanted to hear more and more of - and if we're to go by this list, we might be lucky enough to hear plenty more of this Scottish band. And, it's CHVRCHES... with a V.

HAIM are an American girlband. But, if you're expecting something like the American version of Stooshe or Little Mix - you're expecting wrong. This band sounds a lot more alternative than those mentioned, but with enough of a crossover in songs like 'Don't Save Me' with booming hooks, to please the pop fans. It's just those hooks that we can see shooting HAIM into the big time.

King Krule is an act we're less familiar with, although we are familiar with Zoo Kid. And, also, this king is ginger - proving that along with Ed Sheeran and Florence And The Machine, ginger really is the way forward. He's been compared to Morrissey, and King Krule definitely has a timeless sound in his music, but a timeless sound that is going to be elevated into 2013, no doubt.

Kodaline are a very interesting indie band from Dublin. Four of them. Are we to expect a new U2? We'd probably compare this band more to The Strokes, than U2 - but they definitely have the sound of a band that are going to sell plenty of albums. 'All I Want' has folk undertones, and they don't just have the typical sound you make expect from first glances at the band.

Laura Mvula is probably BBC Sound Of 2013's most classy offering, and an act that has got many excited. The word 'timeless' springs to mind here aswell, with her sound being compared to Nina Simone by many. The gospel touches in her sound are glorious, and her vocals are absolutely sublime - the tracks are very mysterious but capturing, and it's easy to see where her hype has suddenly rocketed from.

Little Green Cars are another band who had passed us by previously, but this mixed gender Irish five-piece have a very interesting and in places charming sound to their music. In their track 'John Wayne', the pure harmonies and heavy beats stand out - and a comparison to world famous band Mumford & Sons is easily to make. That should surely indicate a fair amount of success, yes?

Palma Violets were the token indie-rock band that really started to gain hype leading up to this list, and seemed like a definite inclusion. Their sound is supposedly going to 'bring guitars back' according to many, after complaints of rock music going down the pan - and signed to the label that are home to rock band legends such as The Libertines, we think those predictions for the return of guitars, may just be accurate!

Peace are a rugged looking three peace, who much like Palma Violets, were seen as a very likely band to appear on this list, and also appear on the blog predictions to smash in 2013. Songs like 'Wraith' draw us to comparisons of Two Door Cinema Club, Vampire Weekend etc. with fun indie songs that are sure to get you singing along to memorable hooks, and with guitar riffs that are guaranteed to stick in your head.

Savages are a female four-piece that with a very strong, dated image (looking a little like Sinead O'Connor) who are also looking to turn back the years with their music, with shouty vocals, and strong guitars. But, such vocals, are incredibly intriguing. The high pitched shrieks of 'Husbands' are sure to capture your attention whether for good or bad, and it's easy to see why they've gathered attention to make this list.

The Weeknd is an American RnB producer who has been hyped for up for the best part of the last 18 months, and has worked with artists such as Drake on Top 40 songs like 'Crew Love'. His raw RnB songs sound a little like that of 'Climax' by Usher for example - and much like Frank Ocean did this year, we think he's going to be the artist to bring classy and touching RnB of yesteryear back into the hearts of millions.

Tom Odell is the third and final artist to appear on both the Critics Choice Awards shortlist, and the BBC Sound Of 2013 longlist. The singer and pianist is a masterful creator of beautiful pop ballads, that would sound at home in place of Adele, but fit just perfectly in with the silky vocals of Odell himself. His melodic piano ditties should ensure a connection with many, and is another artist we definitely in the higher regions of this list.

Find out more about all of these artists, and discover them in more depth over the next fortnight.