Dispatch from London's Music Scene

I’ll be the first to admit it: I miss London. A lot. Not, "Oh, I miss abroad", "Oh, I forgot how to do work", "Oh, I miss traveling." While those things may or may not be true (leaving it up to you to extrapolate), as a self–proclaimed "music person" who’s been called a music snob more than once, I’ve realized that, hey, maybe my longing for London isn’t just about the experience I had and my friends across the pond. It’s also the music.

Here are the British people I care about, and hopefully by the time you leave this page, you will too. And you'll have confirmed your plan to study abroad to London. Or, more realistically, you’ve listened to at least 10 seconds of one song. Just give me that much, please?

1. The 1975

Matt Healy. That is all. 

In all seriousness though, this indie–pop/rock outfit's taken what the good indie bands do (make original music), the attitude of 90’s boy bands in their prime and the edgy/goth/cool vibe that's absolutely enigmatic, captivating and above all ridiculous, all at once. Did you even see what they pulled at the Brit's?

2. Stormzy (Honorable mention: Skepta)

I mean, I sat in cafes where the working music wasn’t some "Hey Soul Sister" by Train: it was Stormzy. Telling me to "Shut Up." And Skepta, telling me to "Shutdown." While I don’t appreciate the mixed messages, I do love the wholehearted embrace of the world’s coolest emerging genre: grime. This rap/dancehall mashup is fresh, energizing, and I think we could all something new. Get to know grime here.

3. Mura Masa

EDM is dead, as per music bible Pitchfork. Electronic music, however, is alive and well. And clubs around London aren’t inundating you with the likes of Mr. 305 (Ed. note: please tell me you know that's Pitbull)—they’re playing Mura Masa. He’s the guy we all wish we were. Besides having a British accent, he was more impressive at age 16 than your college–ready laundry list of extracurriculars could ever claim to be. His first song, "Lotus Eater," skyrocketed this amateur DJ into celebrity, and he isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Now, his popularity has transcended the Atlantic, and he’s worked with figures from Charli XCX to A$AP Rocky.

4. alt–J

They went on to win the Mercury Prize with their debut album, An Awesome Wave. Now on to their third album, these guys have kept us not–so–patiently waiting on new material for over two years. While you can ridicule them for sounding way too similar to this hilarious parody, you can’t argue that their sound is genuinely singular, unlike anything you’ve ever heard before, ethereal, and the list goes on and on. Relaxer’s due June 9th—the countdown begins...

Oh, also—these guys met in college. Freshman roommates, I’m looking at you.

5. Bastille

Or: London’s version of Top 40 pop. And when your chart–toppers sound this good, you can't help but realize that the U.K. must be doing something right. This alt/pop/rock group's found its way into the mainstream in a big way, and it's not just because of "Pompeii." Frontman Dan Smith's powerful vocals combined with the band's larger–than–life instrumentals make for music that may as well be the soundtrack to your life.

6. The Smiths

I’d be remiss not to include the group with such a formative impact on music basically everywhere. Hailing from Manchester, England, this band's made up of frontman Morrissey (please say you've heard of him) and guitarist Johnny Marr. The Smiths are *the* British indie rock band of the '80's and *the* English rock band of the '90's. Their synthesis of guitar–rock and pop–esque three–minute singles have produced hits that outlive any song on your Top 40. You could say these songs are like a light that never goes out. To the Smiths, if you're reading this: we're forever grateful.

7. Frightened Rabbit

 A little further North of London lies Glasglow, Scotland, where this humble rock band emerged. Their music’s raw, it’s honest, and it’s nothing like anything you'd hear on this side of the pond. While I'm not much of a lyrics person, they manage to express most things I never even knew I thought—with the twist of a Scottish accent.

Photo: Markus Hillgaertner / Wikimedia Commons