Our three favourite artists of the year so far… #Blog6Music

Ahead of BBC 6 Music and The Hype Machine unveiling of their top 25 artists of the year so far, naturally we’re sticking our noses in.

As well as tracking the most talked about musicians online on a daily basis, Hype Machine also reveal their Music Blog Zeitgeist at the end of the year where they look at everything posted by their index of 863 key music blogs to ascertain the top artists, songs and albums of the past 12 months – but especially for BBC 6 Music, they’re doing a mid-year version with the results being revealed on Sunday from 6pm.

They are also calling upon blogs to find out which artists they think have made the biggest impact in 2012 – that’s where we come in.

Below you’ll find the three artists we’re digging the most this year. Be sure to tune into BBC 6 Music from 6pm on Sunday to hear their top picks.

3. Gotye

Gotye is currently a settled resident in the UK top 40, having spent 24 weeks in the chart with Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra), and he’s showing no signs of leaving any time soon.
The hit track, in which two former lovers exchange accusations, has become a bit of an anthem for the broken hearted, with those fresh out of relationships finding it almost therapeutic to belt out at the top of their lungs.
With beautiful lyrics, hypnotic music and Gotye and Kimbra’s beautiful voices, we can’t help but wish the crazy kids would just work things out and get back together – oh, it’s just a song?
Having bagged a top ten hit in over 30 countries, and over 350 million hits on YouTube, Gotye has undoubtedly penned one of the biggest tracks of 2012 worldwide.

2. Adam Lambert

Until very recently, Adam Lambert was hugely unappreciated in the UK – we hadn’t really heard of him until he did something outrageous like passionately kissing members of the front row at one of his gigs back in 2010.
Adam found mega-fame after coming second in American Idol – although this was back in 2009, and unlike the disposable X Factor stars of today, AI have produced some real talent who can certainly hold their own in the charts.
Not only is Adam making his mark on the UK media and fans alike, but his work with Queen speaks volumes about his vocal ability. Yes, Freddie Mercury’s shoes are pretty massive ones to fill, and while Adam isn’t a Freddie replacement, the sexy singer is currently in rehearsals with the legendary rockers ahead of their UK shows together. Adam is not only doing the songs justice – while putting his own unique touch on them – but he’s getting ready to release his second album, Trespassing, over here too.

1. fun.

fun. (yes, with a lower-case f and a full stop) are not a new band. They released their debut album Aim and Ignite in 2009, although it was with their single We Are Young that fun. found huge mainstream success. The track is already one of the biggest selling tunes of 2012 and peaked at number one here in the UK back in May. Most notably, it was .fun who ended Carly Rae Jepsen’ reign of terror (or joy if, like us, you were unable to get the infectious pop hit out of your head) on the top spot with Call Me Maybe.
While quizzing musicians on the charts today, it was James Bourne who hit the nail on the head. When asked who was currently at number one, James started singing fun.’s We Are Young. “Do you know what? I didn’t have a clue,” he admitted. “I guessed it because that’s the best song out at the moment.”
Whether you are a fan of James or not, he’s written his fair share of hits which more than qualifies him to spot a smash when it comes along.