Year in Rock 2016: New Artist Nominees

When it comes to the term "new artist", the lines have become increasingly blurred. The criteria to determine just what a new artist was used to be cut and dried for me; any artist that released their first record within the year of nomination was it. As I've learned this year, though, my rules are changing rather drastically and, when considering this year's nominations in this category, I found myself bending like Beckham. As a result, this year's candidates include only two bands that fit the original criteria of releasing their first album this year. The other three are comprised of a band who's yet to release an album at all, a band who released three EPs and an album independently before making their official debut on a label this year, and a band whose first record was released on a label last year but the songs were re-recorded versions of songs from his ten or so self-released records thereby making this year's record the officially official debut.

Yeah, I know. It's a bit of a stretch, but that's the world we live in now.

Here are your Year in Rock 2016 nominees for New Artist Recording of the Year:

CAR SEAT HEADREST: Fill in the Blank



CRX: Ways to Fake It



HOLY WHITE HOUNDS: Switchblade



MICROWAVE: Vomit



STRANGE BONES: God Save the Teen


The winner will be announced on December 19th!