As with Sam Smith, Foxes and Ella Eyre recently, the safest way to launch a pop career today is under the wing of a bigger artist with a carefully selected guest spot. So the label "Naughty Boy presents" at the start of Chasing Grace's latest video should stand the Hertfordshire four-piece in good stead as they release their latest single.
Singers Phil Plested and Grace Ackerman were heard on the Emeli Sandé producer’s hit Hotel Cabana album, on the powerful piano ballad So Strong. Now they’re signed to his label and are well connected in other ways, having supported Ellie Goulding and John Newman and persuaded Jessie J to play with them at a tiny club show last month. Their new song out this week, Free, leaves their more soulful earlier work behind in favour of energetic folky strumming. It’s very Mumfords, suggesting they haven’t landed on a sound all their own yet. When they do, they’ll have no shortage of famous friends to big them up.
Chasing Grace play The Lexington, N1 (020 7837 5371, thelexington.co.uk) on March 19
