The list of impressive pop starlets grows ever-longer as we settle into 2016. We’ve already featured Dua Lipa’s latest this week, no doubt she’s one of the leading lights in this genre, and now we have the new one from another impressive entrant in this pop race. With “Hammer”, Aussie-born, London-based Chiara Hunter edges towards the soul-inspired, disco sound that is serving the RCA-signed EKKAH so well: the track simmers at its opening, allowing Hunter’s sultry vocal to take centre-stage, before the chorus-enormous appears like a massive, feel-good salute to the likes of Destiny’s Child. Intricate, busy production, complete with the ever-smile-inducing cowbell, ensures this new single from her debut Strange Relationships EP - released today (12th February) by the taste-making Super Recordings (AlunaGeorge, Bondax, HONNE) - is a statement of real future-funk intent. Throw in support slots with the exploding Jess Glynne, and Chiara Hunter is ready for a “gold-plated” 2016. -G.O'B