Top of the poppets! From the boyband to rival One Direction to an Amy Winehouse-inspired diva, these are the acts to watch in 2014
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New Year, new faces, ready to shake up the music scene. Here, ADRIAN THRILLS picks six acts to watch in 2014...
SAM SMITH
Who is he? A Hertfordshire soul boy with a bittersweet lyrical touch and a stunning voice, 21-year-old Sam has already topped the UK singles chart as guest singer on Naughty Boy’s infectious La La La.
A former child actor, he has also sung with Disclosure and Nile Rodgers, but is preparing to strike out on his own. Boosted by winning this year’s Critics’ Choice Brit Award — a springboard for Adele and Florence Welch — he is poised to become a major star.
Where can I hear more? A single, Money On My Mind, is out on February 16. Debut album In The Lonely Hour follows in May.
For fans of: Drake, Justin Timberlake.
Chloe Howl: A prickly purveyor of electro-pop with attitude, this 18-year-old cites the frank songwriting style of Amy Winehouse as inspiration
CHLÖE HOWL
Who is she? A prickly purveyor of electro-pop with attitude, this 18-year-old Maidenhead singer-songwriter was weaned on her sister’s hip-hop collection and her dad’s New Order records, but cites the frank songwriting style of Amy Winehouse as her main inspiration. ‘I used to go into writing sessions listening to Amy numbers like Me And Mr Jones,’ says Chlöe.
She also describes her music as ‘steak and kidney pop — something more filling than bubblegum’.
Where can I hear more? The EPs No Strings, Rumour and Paper Heart are out now. Her debut album is out later this year on Columbia.
For fans of: Lily Allen, Kate Nash.
A half-Swedish, half-Scottish singer-songwriter who has already soundtracked a John Lewis TV ad with her plaintive take on the Fleetwood Mac classic Don't Stop
NINA NESBITT
Who is she? A half-Swedish, half-Scottish singer-songwriter who has already soundtracked a John Lewis TV ad with her plaintive take on the Fleetwood Mac classic Don’t Stop. Nina, 19 (pictured), has been making waves with her bright, blue-eyed pop ever since she began playing acoustically in Edinburgh three years ago. A string of independent EPs led to a deal with major label Island, who release her debut album next month.
Where can I hear more? That album, Peroxide, is out on February 17.
For fans of: Ed Sheeran, Amy Macdonald.
THE VAMPS
Who are they? Having come close to topping the charts in October with their tuneful debut single, Can We Dance, The Vamps are the guitar-toting UK boy-band who might just give One Direction a run for their money.
Formed by singer Bradley Simpson and guitarist James McVey, they recruited rhythm section Tristan Evans and Connor Ball through friends before signalling their teen appeal by touring alongside Disney starlet Selena Gomez.
In February, they will hit the nation’s arenas with Taylor Swift.
Where can I hear more? A new single, Wild Heart, is out on January 20 on Virgin EMI.
For fans of: Busted, McFly.
New releases: The pick of the latest records
LUKE SITAL-SINGH
Who is he? A sensitive young man with an acoustic guitar, Luke has the songwriting chops to compete with folk-pop Titans like Ed Sheeran and Mumford & Sons. The West Londoner, 25, acknowledges Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen as key influences, but there are shades of modern minstrels like Bon Iver, too.
Where can I hear more? Sital-Singh’s debut album is out in the spring.
For fans of: Jake Bugg, Damien Rice.
ELLA EYRE
Who is she? Big of hair and even bigger of voice, Brit School graduate Ella came to prominence as a guest vocalist, adding her feisty presence to Rudimental’s chart-topping Waiting All Night.
Augmenting her rich vocals with bold, brassy hooks, the 19-year-old has concocted a potent mixture of old-school soul and modern sounds. ‘I’ve always wanted to hit people in the face with my music, rather than just tickle them,’ she says. ‘I’m into punchy, passionate songs with a message.’
Where can I hear more? Ella’s online single, Deeper, is out now.
For fans of: Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2532957/Top-poppets-From-boyband-rival-One-Direction-Amy-Winehouse-inspired-diva-acts-watch-2014.html#ixzz2pIJ2vqo1
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