The dragon still has fire in its belly as Wales looks to continue its success in producing new music for the masses. With success in practically every area of music, Wales is one of the great breeding grounds for musicians. So as the the bigger names take the headlines, we take a look at some of the new guys making waves.

If you are looking for something loud to power your way through the gloomy winter days, then look no further than ‘Falling With Style’. This Toy Story referencing bands are not ones to be messed with despite their young age, with a sound that resembles Alexisonfire or Lower Than Atlantis, it comes as no surprise that they have played the likes of Download Festival. Confident soaring guitar riffs with strong melodic vocals result in tracks like ‘The Day The Earth Stood Still’ which are pure fodder for a festival going crowd. Pay particular attention to front-man Lucas Woodland who in my personal experience of seeing the band live, has never put a foot wrong only improving with each outing. Although balancing Uni life and a budding band, 2014 looks like it will be a big year for this valleys band, so worth getting to know their music now.

(For more information visit: www.facebook.com/FallingWthStyle)

For more mature and sultry tones you might want to consider Cardiff’s own Lloyd Best. This singer-songwriter will suit anyone who spends their rainy days listening to Lianna La Havis,  Josh Weller, or Amy Whinehouse. A string of EP’s and live shows over the past 12 months have boosted the quickly growing number of fans (which I believe he should call Besties) and 2014 looks for this to continue. This month will see the release of Nursery Crimes EP follow-up single ‘Tokyo Ice Tea’.  The single sees Lloyd show a greater sense of maturity behind his song writing in creating a warmer sound that pulls you into the narrative of the track. A preview of the single is already available on his bandcamp (http://lloydbest.bandcamp.com) along with his EP and a free cover of Ellie Goulding’s ‘Anything Could Happen’.

(For more information visit: www.facebook.com/LloydBestMusic)

Finally, for those that just like something to relax to, along the lines of Daughter or Keaton Henson, then you will love Novo Amor. As you would expect from the alternative folk scene it features non-intrusive melodic guitars and delicate tender vocals.  The real backbone to the music though comes from sweet and loving nature in the way everything has been put together. Sadly the rate in which music is released is behind what you might expect from the current state of the industry but you will not regret the wait when new material becomes available. So if you a pound to spare, you will struggle to get a better return than buying the single “From Gold” out now. (For more information visit: www.facebook.com/novoamorsongs)