Music: The new stars who'll shine in 2012

By Adrian Thrills

Last updated at 1:57 AM on 6th January 2012

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Singer Lana Del Ray became a YouTube sensation overnight

Lana Del Rey
New Yorker Elizabeth Grant, 25, became a sensation after changing her name to Lana Del Rey and posting a home-made clip of her song Video Games on YouTube.
Fifteen million views later, she’s one of the most talked-about women in pop. Is she for real? And are those lips for real? Whatever the truth, her songs will be hard to avoid. Her album Born To Die is out this month.


Emeli Sandé
The Critics’ Choice Award at the Brits has proved a springboard for Adele, Florence Welch and Jessie J, and latest winner Emeli Sandé is another home-grown female primed for success. The former medical student with the shock of blonde hair is Simon Cowell’s favourite new songwriter. Debut album Our Version Of Events is out next month.


Michael Kiwanuka
Born to Ugandan parents in London, Kiwanuka’s music mixes retro-soul and acoustic jazz. Originally a fan of Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix, he changed his approach when he discovered Otis Redding, although his laidback songs are more reminiscent of Bill Withers and Curtis Mayfield. Debut album Home Again is out in March.

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• Rising star Alexandra is set to take us back to our finest hour with Girl's Night Out

Ren Harvieu
Salford-born singer Harvieu’s singing career was thrown into jeopardy when she broke her back in a freak accident in her back garden. Forced to cancel an appearance at Glastonbury, Harvieu, 21, was told by doctors she might never walk again.
Now recovering well, she is preparing to face the world with songs that sound like Dusty Springfield crossed with Portishead. Debut album Through The Night is out in April.


Marlon Roudette
Roudette (named after Marlon Brando) has music in his blood. The son of pop producer Cameron McVey, and stepson of singer Neneh Cherry, his songs feature sun-kissed reggae grooves and strong, poppy melodies. Already a star in Germany, his first solo album, Matter Fixed, is out this month.

CD OF THE WEEK

DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES: The Complete Singles (Motown)
The world’s most iconic girl-group were once dubbed the ‘no-hit Supremes’, but this 50th anniversary retrospective makes their early struggles hard to fathom. Even before charting with Where Did Our Love Go and Baby Love, the Detroit trio were producing memorable pop music. From the doo-wop edge of Never Again to their farewell hit Someday We’ll Be Together, this definitive three-CD set is hard to fault. ★★★★★
ADRIAN THRILLS