The ShortListen: Adam French (no. 209)

Who? Adam French

What’s the story? The BBC's annual Sound of 2016 longlist emerged this morning and we're pretty pleased with having featured seven of the twelve contenders right here on The ShortListen. But the search for next year's stars continues in earnest, so on we go to Mr. Adam French. A 23-year-old hailing from Congleton (which we've never been to, but have seen the signs for off the M6 many hundreds of times), he's already picked up love from BBC Introducing and is tipped to do well next year. He claims to be influenced by artists ranging from Jose Gonzalez and Bon Iver to Queens of the Stone Age, but on this self-produced track, Hunter, there's a touch of Richard Ashcroft and even The Music's Rob Harvey in his vocal style, while the backing is very much up the same street as Saint Raymond. As fans of the latter artist, we're fans of this too. It's understated but confident and promises much ahead.

For fans of: Saint Raymond, Florence & The Machine, Bon Iver

In three words: Atmopsheric driving indie