Bringing a refreshingly tart-tongued viewpoint to time-tested song subjects like one-night stands and gossip, English pop singer Chlöe Howl grew up in Maidenhead listening to her older sisters' R&B and hip-hop albums and trying to sing like Alicia Keys. By the time she was 16, she left school, signed a deal with Columbia Records, and collaborated on songs with Grammy-winning writer and producer Eg White (who also worked with Florence + the Machine and Adele). Her debut single "No Strings" appeared on Soundcloud late in 2012, paving the way for her first EP, Rumour, the following March. In August 2013, the No Strings EP arrived; around that time, the song was also featured on the soundtrack to Kick-Ass 2. That December, she was nominated for the BBC Sound of 2014 as well as the Critics' Choice Award for the 2014 BRIT Awards (both of which Sam Smith ultimately won). Howl's debut album, which featured contributions by Richard X as well as White, was expected sometime in 2014. ~ Heather Phares