The grand British musical tradition of trip hop, popularized in the ‘90s by acts like Portishead and Tricky, is alive and well in 2013 with the success of trip hop trio London Grammar. Just a few months after being featured on Disclosure’s No. 1 album Settle, London Grammar released their debut full length If You Wait in September 2013 to critical acclaim and a No. 2 spot on the UK Albums Chart. Drawing comparisons to Florence Welch for her throaty, brooding vocals, singer Hanna Reid is a commanding presence on the album, delivering her emotionally affecting lyrics over the trip hop beats and dreamy guitarscapes of bandmates Dot Major and Dan Rothman. The album’s four singles include UK Top 40 hits “Strong” and “Wasting My Young Years,” a breakup song featuring Reid’s signature plaintive vocals. Earlier in the year, the band released their debut EP Metal & Dust, which featured the hit single “Hey Now.” On the road in 2013, the band has been wowing ticket buyers with their intimate arrangements and emotionally-charged live concerts, building anticipation for their first US tour in 2014.
