Corinne Bailey Rae

Unless you're the sort to follow music industry awards like the Grammys, it's entirely possible you've never heard of English chanteuse Corinne Bailey Rae. Well, take notice: Her self-titled 2006 debut was nominated for scads of shiny-object nods and sold 4 million copies. While critical acclaim is not the same as public acclaim, most can agree that it's the sophomore release that's make-or-break for an artist's career. Her new album The Sea, released after a two-year hiatus following the death of her husband in 2008, is a soulful mourning cycle. Songs like "The Blackest Lily" and "Paris Nights/New York Mornings" are strutting and funky, and offer testament to Rae's creative prowess in the midst of a formidable personal tragedy.

Updated 04/15/2010