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, hipster-bearded 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 is 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.
WHERE CAN I HEAR MORE? Debut album Badlands is out now (iamhalsey.com).
IZZY BIZU
WHO IS SHE? Soulful South Londoner with jazzy inflections.
WHAT’S HER STORY? Isobel Bizu Beardshaw, 21, grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Marvin Gaye. 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? Fronted by Brad Griffiths, 18, the group’s indie-rock riffs are reminiscent of 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).