Rated 'My Kind of Love'

Emeli Sande performed her stunning new single on The Voice UK last night on BBC1. One performance so strong and so impressive I thought it needed a post of its very own. Amazing vocal range, brilliant stage arrangement and one of my favourite songs of 2012, this is a performance I'll be watching over and over for months. Take a look below if you missed it or like me, you just can't get enough of Emeli!

Rated Our Version of Events - "Creamy-Delicious Neo-Soul"

"Sande has a mesmerising gift"

Emeli Sande rocked up to the frontline in mid-late 2011 with her startlingly good debut single 'Heaven'. From there she's gone musical miles. A number one duet with Professor Green and impressive writing credits for the likes of Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Prof. Green and Tinie Tempah (not to mention being linked to numerous other stars). We no longer have to settle for three songs, we get a lovely 15 (itunes deluxe package) track album packed with passion and that soft yet powerful, gorgeously pitch perfect vocal. 

Her abilities as a singer are unquestionable on all of the tracks, from the soulful 'then I'm gone/then I'm gone' on the Massive Attack-esque beats of 'Heaven' to the stunning power ballad 'My Kind of Love'. Her range is perfectly illustrated on the lullaby style melodies of 'Where I Sleep', with its soft verses which effortlessly melt into creamy-delicious neo-soul.

First a songwriter, then a singer, Sande's talent shines on 'Mountains', a stunning love song about the journey of a relationship and the determination to overcome all obstacles. It feels real, with lyrics like 'I'd never work these hours if I didn't love you' and 'I keep my fingers crossed that we're gon' be able/I touch the wood for luck on our broken table...' Coupling lyrics like these with a voice like Sande's, creates a perfect song and a beautifully authentic message.

Rated Next to Me

There's so much excitement surrounding Emeli Sande (most of it from yours truly) that there's nothing that can stop her from hitting super stardom. Debut single 'Heaven' was an exhilarating 90s dance tinged delight and follow up 'Daddy' continued with this vibe. This is the theme I expected from all her debut album's material, however, new single 'Next To Me' couldn't be more different. 

With an Emeli Sande meets Sara Bareilles sound, this is one of the catchiest songs of January/February. The pounding drum beat, pumps its way alongside her gorgeous melodies as she soulfully sings, "when the end has come and buildings falling down fast/when we spoilt the land and dried up all the sea/when everyone has lost their heads around us/you will find him you'll find him next to me." With penmanship like this I have great expectations from her album.

Her voice is, as it was on all other cuts, absolutely flawless. There's a substance in there that I've never quite heard before. I hope this song makes waves, but even if it doesn't her album will surely drown out the rest of the charts for months to come. 

Our Version of Events is out on Feb 13th.

Rated Incoming Jan/Feb 2012

There are two HUGE albums coming out in the next month and I couldn't be more excited. This is going to be such a good Jan/Feb!

First up is the gorgeous Lana Del Rey's debut album Born to Die, which spawned the immensely popular 'Video Games' and the stunning single 'Born to Die'. The latter is my personal favourite thus far, but I just know there are going to be some truly haunting moments on this album. Released 30th Jan, this is an essential album to take us to the end of winter. Lana baby, here I come!

Secondly, we've got the great Scottish talent that is Emeli Sande. With a voice like warm honey and a funky hair-do, she's a star in the making. Scrap that, she's already a star, bigger and better than so many of the artists who've made it in this country. I expect huge things from Our Version Of Events when it comes out on February 13th. With singles like 'Heaven' and my new obsession 'Daddy', this album is guaranteed to be special.

Rated Daddy Daddy

The last half of 2011 will always be, for me, a time when my prospects were turned around and I gained a positive outlook on my life. Similarly, for Aberdeenshire born singer Emeli Sande, the latter half of the year has been insane and mesmerising. Her debut solo single 'Heaven' (perhaps my favourite song of the year) reached number 2 in the UK top 40 chart and she hit number 1 lending Professor Green a helping hand.

Back with her 2nd critically acclaimed single 'Daddy', Sande has cemented the fact that she is on route to big things. Destined to join the growing ranks of brilliant British female soloists (Adele, Ellie Goulding, Katy B) she is continuing with the retro 90s dance vibe that backed her debut. "You got your family back and you got your smile/And you promised your sister that you'd never go back again..." sings Sande with her distinct, silky vocals. Like 'Heaven', this song showcases just what an epic talent this young woman has/is and when the song hits its climax her vocals are on traffic stopping form.

There's something about this woman, something special. She can sing fantastically and she is a great live act. She's cool and unique, but there's something else. I just can't put my finger on it, but I can say that I smell immense success and worldwide stardom coming her way.

5/5