Introducing Lulu James

If you were lucky enough to catch Jessie Ware's show in London last night, and you got there early enough, you'll have been blown away by Lulu James. (She was the one wearing a pair of pyramids on her shoulders).

Born in Tanzania, raised in South Shields, the singer operates in the same genre of post-dubstep soul as Ms Ware. She calls it 21st-century soul. "Some people concentrate on keeping in the same genres of music," she explains, "but I'm just experimenting with loads of different things. It could be any style of music, as long as it's got soul."

For her new single, Closer, those experiments come with electro and techno. There's a deep house vibe that reminds me of Roisin Murphy's overlooked but incredible Overpowered album. Have a look, have a listen.

Lulu James - Closer

The 22-year-old says she didn't speak a word of English when she came to the UK, aged seven. The sense of loneliness and isolation is chanelled into some of her lyrics - especially last year's unsettling, haunted Halfway To Hell.

"Tears don't often fall, my face never cares," her voice echoes over a sparse, rumbling chant. "Everything about me is dry, even when I've bled."



Signed to RCA, and recently added to the playlist at 6 Music, I suspect we'll be hearing a lot more from Lulu in the coming months. If you want to find out more, there's a charming, funny interview with her on the Amazing Radio website... The Geordie accent is mint.

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