This Nu:Tone remix of Emeli Sandé’s stunning new single Next To Me will lift you from your Monday despair, guaranteed.

Previously: Emeli Sandé – Next To Me (Dorian Remix) [AUDIO]

The spotlight on this Scottish singer and songwriter is burning BRI(gh)T right now*. Having written hits for half of the pop charts – as well as herself – will Emeli Sandé’s debut album deliver in the same way as singles Heaven and Daddy have? Hattie Collins finds out.

Artist: Emeli Sandé
Album: Our Version of Events
Label: Virgin/ EMI
Tracks: 14
Release Date: 13 February 2012

Well, the BRITS Critics Choice winner might not please everyone with this record, but she’s certainly kept RWD happy. While the previously mentioned singles are two of a small handful of upbeat tracks on the album, there’s plenty of heartbroken slow-jams for fans of Adele and Ed Sheeran to appreciate. Unconcerned with being ‘cool’, the 24 year-old plays to her strengths and sings insistently and convincingly about love, heartbreak, disappointment and hope. My Kind Of Love is utterly brilliant; searing, spine-tingling, eye-watering and empowering, Sandé sings the hell out of the song that could be a follow up to . The Alicia Keys collabo doesn’t disappoint either; team two talents like those two and you get Hope, a socially conscious, uplifting slice of soul that will no doubt appeal both sides of the Atlantic.

Third single Next To Me, dangerously close to God-bothery, steers clear of schmaltzy spirituality with its tribal percussion and sweeping strings. In fact a dedication to her love of music rather than a higher power, the Craze & Hoax created composition should give the Scot her next top 3 hit. Dolly Parton gets a Sandé remix on the amazing country and western flavoured Suitcase, a track recent dumpee’s will be hitting repeat to while sobbing into their chardonnay-soaked tearstained pillows. Lovers of a great lyric will appreciate River while Professor Green fans will be interested to hear Read All About It [Part III], a stripped back version of the original and one that we can’t wait to see performed live. Other excellent moments include Maybe and the brilliant Breaking The Law. With this, as with much of Emeli’s songwriting, everything is not quite as it seems. Metaphorical meanings lurk underneath her writing, making the listening to her songs an in-depth experience. Sit back and enjoy or try to crack the deeper meanings, if you choose. At the end of the day, they’re a joy to listen to, either way.

There are small missteps – Lifetime is both a bit twee and sonically mismatched with the rest of the record, though saying that, it has the potential to bag Naughty Boy’s musical Mrs. another huge hit with the teen market. And yes, the album will no doubt be criticised for being somewhat slower than the first two singles might have suggested. But essentially this is a pop-soul album; it’s an A Minor, a 19, a Get Lifted a Floetic for 2012. It’s not trying to be cool. But what stands out, and also stands up to the hype, is the incredible songwriting on display. Epic sounds underpinned by a global sensibility, Our Version… is likely to skyrocket Sandé’s around the world. This is music that millions will love.

Naughty Boy, Craze & Hoax, Mojam and Emile Haynie (Kid CuDi, Tinie Tempah) provide the production Emeli needs to showcase her incredible vocal and astute lyrics. This is an album that deserves all the success it will no doubt receive.

Rating: 4 out of 5

*Sorry, we were trying to do something clever with BRITS and bright. It needs work, we know this.

Words by Hattie Collins

This remix of our girl Emeli Sandé’s new single just touched down in our inbox and it already feels like the soundtrack to our week.

No, this is truly effed.

Read our cover feature with Emeli in the magazine below.

Since covering our 12 for ‘12 issue last month, literally everything’s gone right for Emeli Sandé and with her new single Next To Me in the process of taking over radio playlists across the land, she’s recorded an incredible live performance of album track Where I Sleep for RWD TV.

Since covering our 12 for ‘12 issue last month, literally everything’s gone right for Emeli Sandé and with her new single Next To Me in the process of taking over radio playlists across the land, she’s recorded an incredible live performance of album track Where I Sleep for RWD TV.

Pre-order Emeli’s stunning debut album Our Version Of Events here

@EmeliSande
facebook.com/emelisande

Number one in our 12 for ‘12, newly engaged Emeli Sandé gives directions for where exactly you’ll find “him”.

Number one in our 12 for ‘12, newly engaged Emeli Sandé gives directions for where exactly you’ll find “him”.

Watch our interview with Emeli behind the scenes of her cover-shoot in the 12 for ‘12 issue of RWD below.

Our main tip for 2012, we brought the video team with us when we interviewed Emeli Sandé on the shoot for her RWD cover. Fun fact, Emeli was secretly presented with her Critics Choice BRIT Award during the filming.

Our main tip for 2012, we brought the video team with us when we interviewed Emeli Sandé on the shoot for her RWD cover. Fun fact, Emeli was secretly presented with her Critics Choice BRIT Award during the filming.

The super talented Emeli Sande tops our tips for 2012 + we let you know who else to look out for next year!!!

Emeli Sandé couldn’t be better placed for a massive 2012 following a year of smash hits and now with a BRIT Award in tow, the new year can’t come fast enough.

While we don’t want to reveal too much about our next issue before it drops later this week, we can reveal that Emeli Sandé is one of our top tips for 2012 and following an incredible year atop the British charts first with Professor Green [Read All About It] and then on her own [Heaven], the Scottish singer couldn’t be better placed for a full-scale chart assault.

On collecting the Critics’ Choice BRIT Award in association with War Child previously won by Jessie J, Ellie Goulding, Florence + The Machine and Adele, Emeli offered “To win a BRIT Award so early in my career is beyond a dream come true,” continuing “I am overwhelmed to be the recipient of such a prestigious award. Thank you so much.”

Check Emeli Sandé out in the next issue of RWD later this week.

With her increasing domination of the UK charts over the last twelve months, it’s 2012 that will really be the year of Emeli Sandé and to get the year off right, the singer has announced a massive headline tour.

Deferred medical student Emeli Sandé has been impossible to avoid in 2011, from her featured vocals on Professor Green’s number one single Read All About It, to her own chart bothering singles Heaven and Daddy, with her hotly anticipated debut album Our Version of Events set for an early 2012 release next year looks certain to be the Aberdeen born singer’s year.

Boasting famous fans such as Jools Holland, Alicia Keys and Chris Martin, Sandé is fresh from one sold-out UK tour and she’s already got another one planned, with the dates for her Spring tour having been announced this afternoon.

Wednesday April 4 – Norwich, UEA
Thursday April 5 Leeds, O2 Academy
Friday April 6 – Aberdeen, Music Hall
Monday April 9 – Liverpool, Academy
Tuesday April 10 – Glasgow, Old Fruitmarket
Thursday April 12 – Manchester, hmv Ritz
Friday April 13 – Cardiff, Solus
Saturday April 14 – Birmingham, HMV Institute
Monday April 16 – London, Shepherds Bush Empire

Tickets for Emeli Sandé’s forthcoming UK tour on Friday [December 9], make sure you grab yours right here.

Koke’s home after his very public acquittal for attempted murder and he’s getting that Last Train Home with Emeli Sandé. Standing room only, ay!

Previously: K Koke Acquitted Of Attempted Murder Charge