Who is she?
An Essex-born, karate-loving (she’s a triple world champion in shotokan), former West End musical child star (she was in Whistle Down the Wind with Jessie J when she was 12) who’s progressed to pop’s waiting list thanks to two years of touring the world with dance collective Rudimental (she also appears on their forthcoming second album, We the Generation). In fact, Anne-Marie’s got form when it comes to collaborations with dance producers, having previously worked with Magnetic Man, Gorgon City and Raized By Wolves. A shot at a solo career in 2013 was curtailed in order to give her time to develop, despite the breezy demo Summer Girl garnering a fan in Ed Sheeran.
What’s her sound?
Debut single proper Karate uses martial arts as a metaphor for a different kind of body contact (“work hard on me, like karate,” runs the chorus), Anne-Marie’s breathy falsetto weaving its way through a haze of textured, synth-happy experimental electronic soul peppered with unexpected vocal samples. Released by Rudimental’s label Major Toms in July, the accompanying EP – also called Karate, and produced by Josh Record and Two Inch Punch – features the slow-burn R&B of Gemini and gorgeous, Jessie Ware-esque break-up ballad Stole.
She says: “My music is pop, but it’s fresh. Fresh pop.”
They say: “She’s going to be huge.” Amir Amor, Rudimental
Listen: soundcloud.com/iamannemarie
Follow: @AnneMarieIAm
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