In this feature, we ask darlings of the indie establishment who they think will be the next big artist to break.

There’s little more satisfying than witnessing the rebirth of an artist who genuinely merits some seriously heavy applause. V V, the artist fka V V Brown, has blown a permanent goodbye kiss to the soapy clean, retro-pop chimes of her 2009 debut Travelling Like The Light and returned an unapologetically slick, electro-goth goddess with the thunderously black comeback, Glitch.

Teaming up with ascendant producer/artist/writer James Leggett aka Nearly Native, the razor sharp tech-pop sound of Glitch is completely uncharted terrain for the Northampton-born singer/songwriter, with a white-hot sexiness and unrestrained defiance that will surprise those familiar with V V’s earlier, more chart-driven work. And there’s more than your fair share of heartache & pain in this latest offering, with the rawness of the sonic powerhouse’s words leaving her achingly exposed for the whole world to witness. In the utterly arresting closing track ‘Will You Wait’, V V questions whether patience, strength and bravery will prevail against the darkness of failure. We defy anyone not to melt upon hearing this singularly haunting torch song of love, loss and starting all over again on your own terms. Quite simply, Glitch is one of our very top picks of 2015.

We asked this boldly transformed artist who she rates in the world of music, and here’s what she reckons.

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V V: I would really like to champion people I know personally because I feel very lucky to be surrounded by a group of individuals who are so talented and inspire me every day. I watch what they do in their lives and I feel so in awe of them all.

The first person I would love to shout out is a video director called Daniel Price. To be honest, it would be a crime to limit him to just a video director because he does everything ranging from set design, graphics, animation and more. He is what they call a Predator; he can produce, edit and direct. I feel lucky to work with him as he is often associated with much more abstract art-driven types and since working with him he has really opened my eyes to the visual world. His style is very much influenced by Sci-Fi film and technology and he is always looking for advanced innovative techniques with his filming.

Lazarus was a dream and it’s here you get a real feel of what he does and how graphics, forward-thinking techniques and more are taking place. He knows how to make something cheap look extremely expensive. He has also done film and video for many other brands and projects and is known in circles. I would love to use this opp to champion him because vid directors don’t often get the props they deserve.



Next up is Bunki. He graduated from Goldsmiths and just has a real ear for bass. His music is really atmospheric and I love what he is doing musically and collectively with other musicians. He has started his own label, Squareglass Records, and is making moves independently and is a really nice guy. I would love to champion him not just for his music but his work ethic and drive. He is a clever man!



Last but not least is Nearly Native, who is one of those producers you meet and you wonder why they haven't exploded all over the planet (not literally of course, but due to their immense talent and understanding of music.) I have worked with so many big producers in the game but I really rate him as one of the best! I'm sure you'll be hearing more of him. He produced my album and is working on his own music now, which I believe is coming out next year. Keep an eye out for him cause he deserves the biggest success!



Glitch is out now on YOY Records / Kobalt Label Services.

 -Ayla Owen