Lana Del Rey | Video Games // Blue Jeans

Smokey-voiced American chanteuse Lana Del Rey has all the orchestral drama of Florence + The Machine and the brazen, pouty attitude of Gwen Stefani. Her videos are a mish-mash of movie footage and shots of Lana while her soulful vocals ratchet up the melancholic feel. The lyrics mingle passion with slang (think Littlest Things by Lily Allen), making for a heady concoction of emotion and street smarts. The double A-side single is available for pre-order on her website now, but if you just can't wait 'til the release on 16th October, then keep hitting those Youtube play buttons!

Check out the oddly uplifting Video Games:

And the unexpectedly wistful Blue Jeans:

Welcome To The Room... Paloma Faith

There is something so filmic about Paloma Faith's voice that whenever she sings it is easy to imagine her sitting atop a piano in a smoky bar and serenading the crowd. Though she has garnered comparisons to Amy Winehouse and Duffy, Paloma’s music is more alluring than the former and less one-dimensional than the latter.   

Blair Mackichan, the man responsible for producing Lily Allen and Sia's UK debuts, also twiddled the knobs on Paloma's first album. Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful? is modern pop once again looking to the past, but in a refreshing display of individuality Paloma chooses sophisticated jazz-tinged tunes over 80s pastiche.    

Yes, she shares the same flame-red hair as La Roux, yet her music couldn't be more different. First single Stone Cold Sober is a bold introduction, reflecting her dramatic appearance and style of the album. Her debut is a strong, lovingly-crafted set and one of the classiest of 2009.