The ANTI-GRAMMY Awards: Best New Artist

by Brett Warner

Music Editor
On Feb 03, 2012

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The real Grammy Awards (you know, the lame, not nearly as cool version) airs Sunday, February 12 at 8:00pm EST on CBS.

Noticed a discrepancy between the 54th annual Grammy Award nominees and what everyone was actually listening to in 2011? Convinced that "Music's Biggest Night" happens every Saturday at the dive bar around the corner? Think you can die happy without seeing Taylor Swift win another award for... whatever it is that she does? Well, you've come to the right place.

This year, Ology is holding its first annual ANTI-GRAMMYS. That's right, we're giving out our own awards to the bands, artists, albums and songs we actually loved... that actually deserve recognition. No politics, no BS, no lame, over-choreographed "live" performances—just the best music of the past year. Best part? The National Association of Record Arts and Sciences aren't picking the winners. You are!

Today's Category:

Best New Artist

Our Nominees:

Chelsea Wolfe

Los Angeles singer/songwriter Chelsea Wolfe has cultivated an unforgettable sonic identity with her two albums The Grime and the Glow (2010) and Apokalypsis (2011)—bleak, cavernous alternative rock punctuated by gloomy post-punk guitars (think Pornography-era The Cure), dirge-like, funereal tempos and Chelsea's raw, early PJ Harvey howl. Take a close listen to songs like "Moses" or "Mer" and watch the hairs on your arm freak the f@#k out.

Frank Ocean

Soulful New Orleans singer/songwriter Frank Ocean had an astounding year in 2011—from his breakthrough work with Odd Future to his breakout singles "Novacane" and "Swim Good" (not to mention his memorable spots on a little album called Watch The Throne), Ocean's name was on everyone's lips last year. His highly anticipated debut album is due out later this year—expect Frank to positively explode in the new few months.

The Weeknd

Canadian producer The Weeknd (a.k.a. Abel Tesfaye) came out of nowhere in 2011 with a trilogy of astoundingly fresh mixtapes: House Of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes Of Silence. Equal parts Brian Eno, Michael Jackson and 808s & Heartbreak, The Weeknd's music is startlingly ethereal, emotional and engaging. If his guest spots on Drake's Take Care are any indication, expect to hear a whole lot more from The Weeknd in 2012 and beyond.

Youth Lagoon

Introverted indie songwriter Trevor Powers (better known to fans as Youth Lagoon) released his debut LP The Year Of Hibernation last year to almost instant praise. His homemade, modestly produced tracks are positively bursting with lo-fi electronics, shimmering keyboards and guitars, and Trevor's brittle, gorgeously vulnerable vocals. Expect big and bold things from this burgeoning talent, no doubt about it.

Zambri

New York sisters Jessica and Cristi Jo Zambri generated considerable critical buzz last year with their debut EP Glossolalia—a dark swirl of gloomy analogue synths, post-witch house atmospherics, aggressive drum programming and chillingly ethereal vocals. The propulsive grind of new single "ICBYS" promises new and exciting sounds on their upcoming full-length debut House Of Baasa (out April 10).

Here's where you come in—hit up our comments section below and VOTE for your favorite Best New Artist nominee. We'll award 1 point for each vote and an extra bonus point if you take the time/effort to tell us why Chelsea Wolfe, Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, Youth Lagoon or Zambri made the biggest splash in 2011. Be creative, be expressive, be excited—we want to know exactly what you love so much about it!

We'll announce all eight ANTI-GRAMMY winners on Saturday, February 11, so keep checking Ology.com every Tuesday and Thursday between now and then to vote for more of the music you actually gave a damn about this past year.

Want to connect, debate, and argue with fellow Music Ologists? Join the discussion over on My.Ology.

Follow Brett Warner on Twitter: @Erasurehead

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