Over the years the BRIT Critics Choice award has dug up some impressive young talent. The likes of Adele, Florence & the Machine and Ellie Goulding have all made themselves known to the judges, becoming the ‘next big thing’ in their own right. This year was no exception but the winner came with a slight but obvious difference.

In December the BRIT school named Tom Odell as their Critics Choice winner 2013, a fresh change from the last few years of women taking home the credited gong. This much deserved triumph means that Odell’s work is finally being noticed and with good reasons. His sound is different and somewhat enigmatic, speaking of his own experiences and with his own sentiment.

Originally from Chichester, the singer/ songwriter’s single ‘Another Love’ has already hit audiences unintentionally with the BBC using it in their advertising of the 2013 schedule. If that wasn’t enough to get the talented young star noticed he has already been on Later…with Jools Holland in November last year, surely a clear sign he is going to be one of the biggest artists in 2013.

He counts Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan as just two of his many music idols and you can definitely hear the Dylan influence in ’Another Love.’ Raw with emotion and intelligent with his lyrics, you can’t help but be moved by Odell’s whisper-like voice almost talking directly to you, nobody else.

But it is the climactic drums, guitar and piano that will leave a lump in your throat, “All my tears have been used up/ on another love.” Simple lyrics that offer a powerful message for the listener, and the odd swear word never hurts, to add to the emotive sound, of course.

Nominated for BBC’s Sound of 2013 and MTV’s Brand New For 2013 means this guy is going places and fast. Just another great British music star to add to the list of genuine and unrefined artists that are becoming so hard to find now with Reality TV and ‘talent shows’ getting in the way.

Odell’s EP ‘Songs from Another Love’ is available now and his debut studio album ‘Long Way Down’ is expected for release early April 2013. If you could only get one album this year, it should be Tom Odell’s.