Island Records seem to be having quite a tough time launching new artists over the last couple of years. They've managed to break Mumford & Sons and Florence & The Machine but they both sprung from a really natural indie scene growth. Their latest female popstar is 22 year old Tennessee born singer Lauren Pritchard. She's cute, a former cast member of the original Spring Awakening line up on Broadway, has mastered the tortured soul routine and ticks many a box for the adult contemporary Radio 2 audience. The problem remains that though they seem totally different artists, the best moments of Lauren's debut album 'Wasted In Jackson' just sound Amy-lite.
Four years (!!!) after its release "Back to Black" is still having a massive influence on the music scene in the UK. If you're making indie music, no one cares. If you're making electronic sounding r&b you're doing great, but if you're making anything with a slight tortured hint of retro or soul then it's tough. Daniel Merriweather and Adele made it but great albums from the likes of Leon Jean Marie and The Rumble Strips (all involved Amy producer Mark Ronson) have made absolutely no impact and I think Lauren could be looking at the same outcome.
Her debut single (and most Amy) 'Painkillers' is a killer track that deserved to be huge but I think I'd prefer to hear it from Daniel Merriweather. Her new single 'Not The Drinking' is nice enough, but has a cute video which sees them make the most of the Broadway talent recessed in Lauren's bones and go for the Feist 1234 effect.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8A9Ys0wh5I[/youtube]
More from her showcase from Mr Discopop.
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