Need to know

Great things have been expected of young British singer/songwriter NAO – aka Neo Jessica Joshua – and her future soul music since she scooped third place in the BBC Sound Poll 2016.

Her profile also rose when she was nominated for best newcomer at the Mobos and performed at Glastonbury.

Her debut album released August 5 is set to underline her huge potential and herald the arrival of a major talent.

Born in Nottingham, she moved to east London as a child and grew up influenced by the sounds of gospel at her local evangelical church, her brother’s garage and jungle record collection and her sister’s love of 90s and beyond R&B. She studied vocal jazz at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama before becoming a children’s music teacher and providing backing vocals for the likes of Pulp and Kwabs.

After starting to write songs in her mid-twenties she released a string of well received singles including Girlfriend, Inhale Exhale, Bad Blood and Fool To Love, all included on For All We Know.

Mixing soul, R&B, rock, and electronica, her music is an elegant thrill. Her perfomance is confident and seemingly effortless but there is also an edge to her spacey pop songs – while there are plenty of sleek soul grooves there’s also an ambient tension as her co-producers including A.K. Paul prove their worth.

Best of all though are her vocals that take the songs to another level. To be in with a chance of winning this album answer this question. Who topped the 2016 BBC Sound Poll? Entries to, NAO, Nigel Thornton, Peterborough Telegraph, Unex House - Suite B,Bourges Boulevard, Peterborough, PE1 1NG by August 5.