Kate Nash

Kate Nash got lost in the deluge of female singer-songwriters from England that invaded the U.S. a few years back. Compared to Amy Winehouse’s powerful voice (and tabloid antics), Lily Allen’s funky sound (and tabloid antics), Nash couldn’t help but look a little...normal. She had a good, but not great voice, and her piano-based songs were catchy, but Nash was clearly still finding her voice. Unsurprisingly, she gets a lot bolder on her second album, this year’s My Best Friend Is You. The songs vary significantly in atmosphere, from girl-group coos (“Kiss The Grrrl,” “Do Wah Doo”), to Yeah Yeah Yeahs-style post-punk (“I Just Love You More”), to ill-advised slam-poetry (“Mansion Song”). It suits her well—and shows Nash may have more staying power than either Winehouse or Allen.

Updated 10/26/2010