So the BBC have long listed the nominees for their Sound of 2013 and as, generally, ever it encapsulates a wide array of genres and artists that have been making waves this year and are likely to truly come into their own in the next something that is often helped exponentially by their inclusion in the long list, definitely the short list, without a doubt the top three and of course the winning position. The Sound of tradition is something that the BBC have been running for a number of years now for those not familiar with it. It essentially entails, as said, a list of up and coming artists from far reaching locations and wildly different genres. It began in 2003 and in its bid to bring new music and acts to the wider public it intends to predict, and usually helps ascertain, the kind of music and artists who will be coming into fruition in the following year and conquering the charts, their respective music scenes or beginning long and fruitful careers. The artists included are nominated, voted for and narrowed down by a wide spectrums of journalists, radio DJs, critics, broadcasters, websites and even notable bloggers who are initially asked to select their top three new acts of the year come the end of it. The people asked are far more far reaching than just BBC employees, though the compiling is in the BBCs hands, and for this reason there is genuine reliability in the acts selected eventually selected. Its for this reason that in its time the BBC Sound of has helped bring to attention of the wider public, and boosted the careers of, acts like Adele, Jessie J, Florence and the Machines, Bloc Party, Klaxons, Plan B, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Skrillex and Frank Ocean to name just a few. This years list was nominated by the largest and most varied contributors yet, leading to an eclectic (and brilliant) collection of artists with some genuine talent who are likely to make some big waves over the next year and maybe even longer. The long list stands as follows; AlunaGeorgeyoutubefacebookwebsitetwitterA*M*EyoutubefacebooktwitterAngel HazeyoutubefacebookwebsitetwitterCHVRCHESyoutubefacebooktwitterHAIMyoutubefacebookwebsiteKing Krule youtubefacebookwebsiteKodalineyoutubefacebookwebsitetwitterLaura MvulayoutubefacebookwebsitetwitterLittle Green CarsyoutubefacebooktwitterPalma VioletsyoutubefacebookwebsitePeaceyoutubefacebookwebsiteSavagesyoutubefacebookwebsiteThe WeekndyoutubefacebookwebsiteTom Odellyoutubefacebookwebsitetwitter Check out the attached links on those acts, to see the kind of quality that is on display with this(next) years list and maybe even find your new favourite band, singer, whatever. Its an impressive array of acts, that some have signalled as the return of the guitar band given the quality of the more guitar centric artists included, but there is far more to the list than that. So have a listen, and follow how these acts develop, grow and maybe even shape the music scene around them over this coming year. Its worth noting, just for my own vanity that way back in June I was raving about AlunaGeorge with the release of their debut EP and am pleased to see them featured here because they are bright hopes with their experimental mix of electronic, RnB, glitch and soul. I should note, well not really but Im going to anyway that Palma Violets, Savages, HAIM and CHVRCHES were going to be cropping up in one of my Things You Should Be Listening To features back in the Summer, but what can say? I dropped the ball. That aside this list has brought a few briilliant acts to my attention for the first time that I wish that I'd heard, got on board with and championed sooner in my features for you lovely people's benefit. However, in relation to those features and my favourite for claiming next year as their own is The Weeknd, who might I egotistically add I championed way back in the first of those features in April. Though I wouldnt like to comment on wholl be short listed and eventually win this year, I will certify that The Weeknd will be going on to extremely bigger and better things. The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) have already crept into the mainstream featuring on Drakes second album Take Care but it his own music that will truly leave the longest after effect that could drastically change the sound of RnB with its dark atmospherics, experimental techniques, bleak lyricisms on drug, depression, heartache, pain and the downside of the party, stretched song lengths and Abels incredible vocals. Keep an eye on how this develops though as the top five short list will be announced soon before the year is out on the BBC News website and the BBC Sound of 2013 website simultaneously with Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens announcing the top three, counting down to winner, each morning live on BBC Radio 1 from January 2nd. Let's hope the world doesn't end before this year is out because the soundtrack to next year looks to be a promising one. Credit BBC Sound of 2013Hear Huw Stephens' guide to the long list here via SoundCloud