In this ‘Listed’ feature, we get to know the most radicalist up-and-coming stars through a themed list of their top musical picks.

Sharing their inspirations this time, it’s fearless pop experimenter K. Flay.

Bending the rules ‘til they break, K. Flay’s punk-tinged take on catchy alt-pop captured attentions immediately. Pairing sugar-sweet delivery with a down-to-earth sensibility, her guttural delivery of modern woes lends K. Flay’s pop oddities a captivating juxtaposition, like a string of candyfloss snagged on a barbed wire fence.

From the choppy ‘High Enough’, where she takes down sobriety and embraces the wild side of life, to the sinister, twisting ‘Blood In The Cut’, K. Flay’s early tracks have proven her to be as confident as they come, barrelling out of the gates with bravado and brains in equal measure.

Below, she shares a bunch of her biggest inspirations – from Dizzee Rascal to Black Sabbath, it’s as eclectic as you’d imagine from this sound-smashing superstar in waiting.

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1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - ‘Phenomena’

This song is so wild and cool. The whole record (Show Your Bones) was a touchstone as I worked on my latest album. There’s an incredible vitality to this track - it’s just undeniable.



2. Dizzee Rascal - ‘2 Far’

This was just like the weirdest craziest coolest song I had ever heard! 'I'M A NINJA TURTLE U CAN’T STEP INTO MY CIRCLE!'



3. Liz Phair - ‘Fuck And Run’

First of all... amazing title. I listened to this song probably a thousand times throughout the course of 2007. It’s so vulnerable and innocent, but vulgar too.



4. Black Sabbath - ‘War Pigs/Luke’s Wall’

I know I’m about 45 years late on this one, but I started listening to Sabbath last year, and now I’m completely obsessed. I love how there can be so much energy and tension even when the tempo is like 50bpm or something insanely slow like that.



5. Mos Def - ‘Mathematics’

My boyfriend in college burned me a copy of Black On Both Sides and I played it so much that one day the CD just stopped working. I think that lyrically, this is one of the best songs ever written.



6. Vampire Weekend - ‘Obvious Bicycle’

From a songwriting perspective, this album is in a league of its own. It's so astute and really emotional at the same time.



7. The Joy Formidable - ‘Whirring’

I love this song so so so much! It’s experimental, loud, melodic.... basically everything I love.



8. Cat Power - ‘The Greatest’

This is such a beautiful song and that first line always breaks my heart a little bit - 'once I wanted to be the greatest'. It implies so much nostalgia and loss.



9. Outkast - ‘Elevators (Me & You)’

ATLiens was a really influential record for me, and this is probably my favourite song on that album. I love that hi hat - it’s so loud! I like it when that happens.



10. Emily Haines - ‘Winning’

When I get really heartsick, I listen to this song and it makes me feel less sad and weird.



K. Flay’s Every Where Is Some Where is out now.

-Tom Connick