Female artists have almost always been on the frontlines of pop music but there's been an explosion of talent in recent years. You've got every shade of popstar from your Lady GaGas to your Adeles to your Rihannas; records continue to be broken, awards continue to be hoarded and sales continue to keeping an ailing music industry afloat. This year alone in the UK we've had number one singles by Jessie J, Sia (on David Guetta's Titanium), Rita Ora (Twice), Katy Perry, Kimbra (with Gotye), Tulisa and Janelle Monae (with Fun.) not to mention number one albums by Lana Del Rey, Emeli Sande, Marina and the Diamonds, Madonna, Nicki Minaj and the ever-present Adele with the worldwide smash 21. Phew. Here is a collection of some of the most exciting female artists yet to hit the chart's lofty heights and their singles to listen out for:
1. Florrie
Although being beautiful can help you out in Popland, it doesn't half lower some people's expectations. Florence Arnold, known by her pop moniker Florrie, is already an established model having been the face of Nina Ricci's perfume Nina L'Elixir a couple of years back (you probably saw the advert - there was a lot of pink and apples involved) and models straying from that path often find themselves in a heap of bother (supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whitely in the last Transformers film for example). Don't worry though, Florrie has an extensive background in music from before she started modelling anyway. First hired as a drummer by electro-pop masterminds Xenomania, she's performed live and on record for pop heavyweights such as Girls Aloud, The Pet Shop Boys and Kylie Minogue. Not content with just backing up, Florrie has been quietly writing and working on a series of electro-laden pop stormers across three annual EPs. 2010 saw the frenetic Call 911 (plus Fred Falke remix) and Introduction EP which recieved extremely positive reviews from pop bloggers before 2011's Experiments EP with the shimmering I Took A Little Something (which also featured on Made in Chelsea) and Begging Me's guitar inflected pop reminscient of Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc given a Freemasons remix and sung by Robyn. In the last week, Florrie released her third and final EP before a full release, Late, where her voice sounds considerably stronger with more alt/indie inflections amongst the electro pounding in songs like To The End and the disco-funk of Shot Him Down. The best thing about all of this is that Florrie puts all her music on her website to download for free in a refreshing take on an industry usually so obsessed with sale figures. With a full length album release no doubt in the pipeline, Florrie will be strutting her stuff in the puplic limelight before long. http://youtu.be/azrKHpCwvm0