With the year winding down, we at The Most Radicalist wanted to take this opportunity to look back on the wonderful year of music we’ve just had with a ‘Best Of’ list. We asked our writers to pick out their top emerging artists of the last 12 months and needless to say we were presented with both an exceptional and deliciously eclectic group of artists.

Drum roll please as we celebrated our third set of favourites - Porridge Radio, Gabriel Black, The Laszlo Project and Greentea Peng.

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Porridge Radio

Since performing at our specially-curated showcase for Brighton's Great Escape Festival earlier this year, Porridge Radio have continued to up their game. Lead by vocalist and songwriter Dana Magdolin, the angsty four piece shared the impactful 'Give / Take' back in August, which accumulated a tidal wave of online praise as well as a spin or two on BBC 6 Music courtesy of the ever-on-the-pulse Marc Riley. Appearing on a smattering of enviable festival slots including Green Man, End of the Road and Knee Deep, the demand for Porridge Radio's raw, emotive art-rock continued to grow; catching the attention of respected American indie label Secretly Canadian. Announcing their signing just 2 weeks ago with a storming new single 'Lilac' and a beautifully shot video directed by El Hardwick, 2019 has been more than a formative year for this foursome and the future is looking blinding. -Holly Mullineaux

Gabriel Black



This year the cynical cartoon character known as Gabriel Black revealed himself to be a living, breathing sad boy with his first non-animated music video for ‘Dead Yet'. Starring alongside phem., this video became a pivotal moment for the L.A.-via-Philadelphia songwriter whose numbers have grown with each new release in the run up to his help me, i’m flying EP. As well as collaborating with phem, the EP also features KEY!, Call Me Karizma and Johnny Goth, but it’s not impressive connects, skillful production or earwormy pop melodies that makes Gabriel Black one of our TOP 20 OF 2019 - although those things help. It’s Black’s ability to bear his soul with equal parts poetry and integrity. He explores the ugly, the insecure, the hopeful, the ambitious, the downright depressing existential state of being human and all with an instantly recognisable voice. His music leans into the grim reality of life and somehow we still come out the other side smiling. All of this comes to us in an iconic mix of emo rock, hip-hop and alternative pop. And so, if you’re yet to become unhinged by an obsession with Gabriel Black, then do go check out our previous reviews of the dogmatically optimistic ‘Blue Skies’, alternative piano song ‘Snow in LA’, and the aforementioned ‘Dead Yet'. Only question we have left now is, Gabriel Black, when we gonna talk? -Hannah Thacker



The Laszlo Project



Dividing his time between bouncy, electronic, jazz-inflected solo releases under the name The Laszlo Project and fronting his band Lydian Collective on keyboards, Aaron Wheeler has had a busy 2020. So busy, that he has only dropped one track this year, the exceptional ‘Press Start’. With laid back rhythms, crunchy lead synths and a noticeable influence from video game music colliding to form the tune, it’s a truly unique and impressive composition that should, in theory, allow him to be regarded on the same level as the likes of Snarky Puppy. Given that it was the Lydian Collective who premiered this track (along with an orchestra!), we can expect to see a lot of overlap between the two projects next year. -Dan Peeke



Greentea Peng



Greentea Peng’s sound is perfectly synonymous with her name. Although she admits that green is her favourite, she also likes to make a spicy ginger and turmeric tea that she brews for days. Her music feels like a refreshing sip - undoubtedly peng, super fresh, and nourishing. Heavily illustrated in symbols, she has the om sign tattooed on her forehead, the lotus flower, snakes and more. Hailing from Bermondsey, but favouring a nomadic lifestyle, Peng has spent time living in Mexico and currently lives in North London. It’s clear that Peng’s output is rich and ripe, with singles and debut EP Sensi commencing only in 2018, with the addition of recent EP Rising in November, produced by Earbuds, who has become renowned for his collaborations with Slowthai. Greentea Peng is in the process of surrendering to the universe and nothing says this better than Rising lead single ‘Mr.Sun (miss da sun)’ - a shrine to the sun, which also showcases her witty lyricism. Another example of her Londoner tongue-in-cheek is in Inna City: "Your double vision, inna city, You can get it if you're witty, Work your way up in a jiffy, What you got, I want it, gimme." Her intonation feels inspired by the reggae artists she grew up on, like Finley Quaye, and her vocals are elegantly jazz inflected, with a good measure of London grit. There's no doubt Greentea Peng will continue expanding in the new year with a London show at Jazz Café on the 26th March as well as slots at Mazaique and NASS Festival already confirmed. - Ellie Rose-Davies