The rising stars to watch in 2024: a jazz sensation for the digital age, the perfect Gen Z pop star and the bearded storyteller who steps into Ed Sheeran’s folksy shoes

LAUFEY

Her swooning vocals sound like they come straight from the 1940s, but Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey Lín Jónsdóttir is a jazz star for the digital age.

The 24-year-old (her name is pronounced Lay-Vay) wants to make jazz and classical music accessible to younger fans, and there are hints of Billie Eilish in her lovelorn, playful songs.

She is also an accomplished musician. She studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston and played cello in a symphony orchestra.

Her second album, Bewitched, is nominated for a Grammy next month, while her upcoming UK tour includes a concert at the Royal Albert Hall on May 16.

“It’s a location that has brought different worlds together, which is what I try to do as a musician,” she says (laufeymusic.com).

THE LAST DINNER PARTY

The big question surrounding the winners of Radio 1’s Sound Of 2024 poll and the BRITs Rising Star award is whether The Last Dinner Party can live up to the hype.

The female quintet has only released five singles, but they’ve also paid their dues by supporting Florence + The Machine and Lana Del Rey.

Their graceful yet melodic art-rock owes something to Kate Bush and Bowie, while their stage attire – period dresses, lace tops, corsets – adds a distinctive visual touch.

Their creative collaboration with Jessie Ware’s producer James Ford bodes well for next month’s debut album, Prelude To Ecstasy, with the band marking the release with performances in Bristol on January 30 and London’s Roundhouse on February 1 (thelastdinnerparty.co.uk) .

ELMIËNE

Inspired by Stevie Wonder and the 1990s neo-soul of Erykah Badu and D’Angelo, Oxford singer-songwriter Abdala Elamin – aka Elmiene – is the most authentic British R&B voice to emerge in years.

Blessed with a pleading falsetto, the 22-year-old (whose stage name is pronounced ‘El-Mean’) began inventing his own music while studying creative writing at Bournemouth University, fleshing out his songs with piano and percussion.

He has since released two EPs and, in a testament to his versatility, his latest release puts a soulful spin on Jeff Buckley’s epic Lover, You Should’ve Come Over, a song he describes as ‘the perfect gateway’ to his own material ( polydor.co.uk/artist/elmiene).

CAITY BASER

With her irreverent yet true-to-life songs about “boy nonsense, and the great times I’ve had with my best friends and fans,” Caity Baser is the perfect Generation Z pop star.

The 21-year-old singer from Southampton certainly meets the right requirements. Before signing to major label EMI, she honed her craft by posting songs to TikTok, building an army of fans who call themselves her Slayers.

Since then she has taken her show on the road, from club dates to festival stages, and on March 26 she embarks on a UK tour at the O2 Academy, Leeds, capping ticket prices to make the performances affordable.

Recent single I Love Making Bad Boys Cry is one of 14 self-penned songs on her upcoming ‘mixtape’ Still Learning (caitybaser.com).

NOAH KAHAN

Vermont singer-songwriter Noah Kahan was a slow success until his 2022 single Stick Season — the title a reference to late fall in his native New England — suddenly gained momentum last year after being covered by Olivia Rodrigo (on Radio 1) and Maisie Peters (on TikTok).

The ballad became an unlikely rival to Wham! No. 1 before Christmas, and will finally top the UK singles chart today, 18 months after its original release.

With his February arena tour sold out and a Grammy nomination to his name, the 27-year-old bearded storyteller will be hard to avoid in the coming months.

Now that Ed Sheeran has given up his penchant for folk-pop earworms, Kahan has, at least for now, stepped into the breach (noahkahan.com).

KENYA MERCY

Raised, like Caity Baser, in Southampton (maybe there’s something in the Hampshire water), Kenya Grace Johnson is the rising star of British dance music.

When she reached No. 1 last October with Strangers, a dreamy club anthem, she became only the second female artist to top the UK singles chart with a song written, performed and produced entirely solo.

The only other woman to do so is Kate Bush, with Running Up That Hill in 2022, which puts South African-born Johnson, 25, in elite company.

After teaching herself music production via YouTube, she honed her sound at her parents’ home during lockdown. Her debut EP will be released this year (instagram.com/kenyagrace).

SEKOU

A small-town boy with the world at his feet, Leicestershire teenager Sekou Sylla is another emerging British soul voice.

Inspired to sing after his mother played Whitney Houston’s version of The Greatest Love Of All for him, he posted cover versions on Instagram from the family home in Ashby-de-la-Zouch before making his first live appearance in the BBC. Launch tent at Glastonbury in 2022.

Last year’s debut single, Better Man, was a piano-led ballad that showcased his rich, gospel-tinged vocals, though he’s equally adept at lighter, up-tempo material.

Still just 19, he’ll be hitting the road next month to support Reneé Rapp on her Snow Hard Feelings tour (shop.sekoumusic.com).

OLIVIA DAAN

Olivia Dean got her early break singing with dance act Rudimental, and the smoky-voiced 24-year-old East Londoner has since gained critical acclaim as a solo act.

Last year’s soulful debut album, Messy, dealt with her romantic woes in a matter-of-fact manner and earned her a place on the Mercury shortlist, while fans include Elton John, who praises her as ‘a fantastic singer’.

She launches her biggest UK tour in the spring, opening in Glasgow on April 25 (oliviadeano.com).