THE ONES TO WATCH IN 2016
IT’S a brand new year and our music critic ADRIAN THRILLS picks five brand new faces who will be making a mark on the music scene in the months to come . . .
JACK GARRATT WHO IS HE? The electronic Ed Sheeran.
WHAT’S HIS STORY? A one-man band from Little Chalfont in Bucks, hipsterbearded Garratt, 24, was poised to become a teacher before taking to the stage. He plays everything himself at his live shows, dashing from one instrument to another, and has already won this year’s Critics’ Choice Award.
WHERE CAN I HEAR MORE? His debut album Phase i s out February 19 ( jackgarratt.com).
HALSEY WHO IS SHE? The new Lana Del Ray.
WHAT’S HER STORY? Ashley Frangipane (Halsey is an anagram of her first name) is American pop’s new kid on the block. The 21-year-old from New Jersey specialises in brooding electro-pop with candid lyrics. ‘My music is cinematic,’ she says. ‘A song’s not ready until it feels like a movie trailer.’
WHERE CAN I HEAR MORE? The Badlands
album and a tour ( iamhalsey.com).
WHO IS SHE? Soulful South Londoner with jazzy inflections.
WHAT’S HER STORY? Izzy, 21 ( above), grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Marvin Gaye, and formed the female trio Soundgirl before turning solo. Jools Holland described her delicate, acoustic songs as ‘wonderful’ on his TV show.
WHERE CAN I HEAR MORE? Her latest single, White Tiger, is out now and Izzy’s
debut album, A Moment of Madness, is out in May ( izzybizu.com).
PRETTY VICIOUS
WHO ARE THEY? Teenage tyros from
south Wales.
WHAT’S THEIR STORY? Merthyr Tydfil quartet Pretty Vicious are carrying the banner for old-fashioned guitar music. Fronted by Brad Griffiths, 18, the group’s indie-rock riffs and songs of small-town escape are reminiscent of fellow Welsh bands the Stereophonics and Manic Street Preachers.
WHERE CAN I HEAR MORE? A single, Are You Ready For Me, is out on January 15 ( facebook.com/prettyviciousuk).
TORI KELLY
WHO IS SHE? A California girl with a spectacular voice.
WHAT’S HER STORY? Former child star Tori was told that her singing was ‘almost annoying’ by Simon Cowell nine years ago. Now 23, she is one of the U.S’s best young voices. Nominated for best new act at next month’s Grammys, her acoustic R&B is a subtle backdrop for sharp lyrics.
WHERE CAN I HEAR MORE? Her album, Unbreakable Smile, and a February tour ( torikellymusic.com).