Adrian Younge! He makes hip-hop inspired jazz with legends from both genres and cites Portishead as one of his most beloved inspirations.
There’s also Supreme Beings of Leisure, who were lesser known contemporaries of Portishead. Lots of similarities here, but they generally explore a wider breadth of feels besides depressive longing, and their sound definitely reflects that. One of my personal all-time favorite bands, these guys. Right up there with Portishead!
Edit: Mazzy Star also comes to mind for their shared tone. More of a stripped down sound in comparison, and they lean more toward bluesy folk, alt rock, and occasionally gaze than triphop, but their lyrics should have a familiar feel to Portishead fans. They might be a bit disimilar on the surface, but they share a lot of the same spirit once you pop that hood up.
Is there a specific element or specific songs that seem to stick better than others? Or are you just looking for general electronic trip hop artists?
The trip hop is irrelevant – my favourite Portishead album is actually Third, which largely left trip hop behind. And Beth Gibbons solo album from last year.
Mostly, it’s a combination of interesting song structures, Beth Gibbons’ vocals and lyrics. As Portishead evolved (and later as she went solo), it became more artistic and less poppy. And I like the later stuff more.
Still like the early stuff, granted. :)
UNKLE Req Tricky FKA Twigs Kruder and Dorfmeister (and Kruders Peace Orchestra)
if you like some of the weirder stuff, check out Beak> which features Geoff Barrow of Portishead.
Ex:Re, Agnes Odell, London Grammar, Kaleida, Annie Lennox
