Introducing VV Brown: possibly the best newcomer for 2009. She’s burst onto the scene, she’s vibrant and lively. She may not be a household name but she does have a sound fan base. Facebook and Myspace are the modern way to determine someone’s popularity and not only does she have her own appreciation society she has a combined total of over 10,900 fans.

Her debut album, Travelling Like The Light, provides twelve songs, each trying to convince us that she’s got real talent. VV started writing music and songs when she was five and she’s never looked back.

Kicking off the album is Quick Fix: a drum roll beginning, VV screams, and then the 50s inspired music starts. An indie pop, rockabilly song. Shark In The Water provides acoustic guitar strums with laid back verses but the chorus is suprisingly bold – a dramatic change from the relaxed verses. Leave is a trademark VV Brown song, lively beats and melodic chorus. She cleverly contrasts the depressing lyrics, which she says reflect a war between her heart and mind, with a bouncy and happier rhythm.

In the middle of the album is the amazing Crying Blood, slightly reminiscent of The Time Warp. The song she wrote immediately after a breakup, Crying Blood is incredibly catchy – it’s also quirky, which reflects VV perfectly. She slows the pace down with the songs I Love You and Travelling Like The Light. Sentimental, these songs highlights VVs voice range – strong and changeable. The songs are soul driven and beautifully performed. The 50s inspired, jazz sounding, music kicks off In Love and VV voice explodes with catchy lyrics.

The album provides a brilliant mix of genres, from lively indie pop and electronic funk to slower soulful music. Impressively, however, every song contains VV Brown’s trademark story-telling lyrics. Every song is influenced by her life, giving the album added meaning. VV recently claimed her music defines who she is, and music is clearly her life. The album was completed within a week of the breakup of her relationship with a man she loved – who turned out to be horrible.

Travelling Like The Light is both written and performed by VV, which highlights her talent. However the album is not the beginning: she’s already worked as a backing singer for Madonna and Westlife and written songs for the Sugababes and the Pussycat Dolls. The album fully convinces us that VV has real talent. She’s often said she wants a simple life with extraordinary music in it and she’s achieved just that. VV Brown’s talent is raw, her success is selfmade, she’s worked incredibly hard and is a much needed fresh break from the likes of Pixie Lott and Duffy. Nominated for BBC’s Sound Of 2009, she may not have the popularity or recognition she fully deserves just yet but I’m sure she’ll continue to rise. VV Brown is definitely one to watch in 2009.