Credit: Cory Ferriera
Shouldies
Man Up, Yancey might have puttered out of steam, but Yancey Ballard and John Pierce have morphed again from the ashes. With Macon transplant Daniel Eberlain in the fold, the analog platform of Shouldies now wraps Ballard’s opaque dialogues on trans identity in clipped, glittering beats that somehow entice limbs to groove. While we haven’t heard yet what this electric trio will unleash in the new year, they’ll certainly hit the ground running this year with a string of gigs. – LA
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Facebook: @shouldies
SoundCloud: @user-500513167
Victor Mariachi
Mexican-American rapper Victor Mariachi turned a lot of heads with his debut album, Weapons of Our Ancestors, a fiery, galvanizing record that tackled racial inequality and systemic oppression while seeking the empowerment of black and brown communities. While his gritty approach took many of its cues from ‘90s boom bap and East Coast rap, Mariachi’s incisive observations and dexterous flow kept things feeling fresh and of the moment. Although a new record isn’t yet in the works, you can expect a string of new singles in 2018, as well as a video for album cut “The Cycle,” which should be out by early Feb. – Avery Shepherd
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Bandcamp: victormariachi.bandcamp.com
Instagram: @victormariachi
SoundCloud: @victor-mariachi
Twitter: @VictorMariachiX
Visitors
If you’re in search of a a heavy dose of expansive, free-form songwriting, Visitors have got you covered. Comprised of some of Atlanta’s most exploratory and accomplished musicians, the new sextet have the chops and the vision to lead listeners through a mind-bending array of improvisational soundscapes. As a bonus, intrigued voyagers won’t have to wait to embark on their first journey as just this morning the group unveiled their epic, long form release The Optimism of Concern, which arrives on the heels of a recent singles collection entitled Anticipation. And as if all that weren’t enough to keep your ears busy, the group plans to drop a follow-up album, Nature Documentary, on Feb. 18. – GC
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Bandcamp: visitorsatl.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @VisitorsATL
Credit: Reggie Moore
Wiley from Atlanta
We’ve written extensively about Wiley from Atlanta’s ethereal hip-hop and ambient R&B, so if you haven’t yet had the pleasure of of slinking into one of his transportive grooves, 2018 is the time to get onboard. Although his long-awaited first full length isn’t scheduled for release until 2019, the emerging rapper and crooner still has plenty of music up his sleeves including a yet-to-be-titled mixtape to go along with a pair of upcoming singles and a video. Although the final details are still being sorted out, “Pink Skies” is due to hit the internet in February and the single and video for “Champion” will be out this spring. – AS
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Bandcamp: wileyatl.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @newwavemvmnt
Instagram: @wileyatl
SoundCloud: @wileyatl
Twitter: @wileyatl
Credit: Casey Doran
Yukons
Any creative venture worth pursuing is worth pursuing with passion and conviction, and perhaps no local group embodies this ideal better than DIY stalwarts Yukons. The Latinx, predominantly female and queer trio merge elements of rock, punk, emo, and shoegaze into a formidable, guitar-heavy aesthetic they’ve taken to calling Latix Expression rock. According to the band’s own José Joaquín Izaguirre, Yukon’s first cassette/record has been recorded and mastered, and will be available in early March with the group’s first tour to follow. In addition, the band has already begun the process of writing and recording the follow-up, so stay tuned for what should be an exciting and fruitful year for the trio. – GC
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Bandcamp: yukons.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @yukonsmusic
Instagram: @yukonsss