By Brian Sheil

Ed Sheeran

I’m really looking forward to hearing more from Ed Sheeran this year. With his huge breakthrough hit last year in the UK, ‘The A-Team’, I feel he certainly has what it takes to be a regular on daytime radio.

Also, if I was an avid Sheeran fan, I would be watching his producer, Jake Gosling, and the new arrivals to his production stable, some of which are not known to the music world yet.

Lana Del Rey

This lady probably seems like an obvious choice for somebody to look out for in 2012. I will be honest here, when I first heard ‘Video Games’, those three words ‘one hit wonder’ did cross my mind.

However, I feel that with her latest release, ‘Born to Die’, that she has definitely found her groove. I would love if she collaborated with Christina Perri on a record. Considering the financial state of the world at the moment, the sentiment of her lyrics resonate with a huge demographic.

Porcelain Black 

Signed to RedOne’s record label, 2101 Records, a subsidiary of Universal Music, Porcelain released two records last year, both of which I felt were excellent. They didn’t make the breakthrough that I would have expected, but I still feel that she has something huge to offer pop music this year.

Chart-wise, her second single ‘Naughty Naughty’ featured in the Top 20 Dance Billboard Chart last year. She describes her sound as ‘Britney Spears meeting Marilyn Manson’, and you definitely get a sense of that both visually and aurally!

Mohombi

While we’re talking about 2101 Records, Swedish-Congolese singer/ songwriter Mohombi – another RedOne protégé – is another artist to lookout for. His most memorable track last year was ‘Bumpy Ride’.

He also did a track last year with former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, entitled ‘Coconut Tree’. It finished at an impressive number eight in the Swedish chart, but once again, I feel that this year could be his year to break the US!

Adele

Yes, Adele! I’m very intrigued as to what Adele will produce in 2012. Will we hear from her at all? She has stated in the past that she doesn’t like touring much and has also stated that she would like to record her next album herself. Interesting, eh?

Anyway, I really hope she releases at least two singles this year. What do I think her sound will be? Well, I think maybe even a more stripped back production might work. Don’t forget ‘Someone Like You’ was the number one single on BBC Radio One in 2011. That track, to the listener, featured just a piano and a vocal. It’s hard to be simple though!

Barnaby

 ·      Your Song by Elton John.

An obvious choice yes, but so for a reason. The lyrics are honest, naive and humble. All the things that a great love song should be. As far as I'm concerned, it's perfect. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIeIeXd3snk      

 ·      Something by The Beatles

Unlike the album version, this record is just George Harrison and an acoustic guitar. It's so bare and without pretense, you can't help but believe every word that comes out of his mouth. The seemingly improvised vocal notes that were to be later replaced instrumentally, only add to the song's charm and sincerity. I defy anyone who listens to this track not to feel at least a twinge of Harrison's heartache. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVPdneEOyOQ&feature=related

Ben

  ·      F**k It (I Don't Want You Back) by Eamon

For his hilarious and rude take on a break up. http://youtu.be/OiaOdfttmrs

 ·      Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye

It seems I like break up songs, I think this one can speak to anyone lonely on valentines. http://youtu.be/8UVNT4wvIGY

Sam

   ·      She's Always A Woman by Billy Joel

It’s an awesome song and definitely my favourite love song of all time! Because its all lovey dovey on the outside then you realise its about how he hates her, proving that love is just an advanced feeling of tolerance. http://youtu.be/7GyMfoAhksI

   ·      Peaches by The Strangers

Is really about women [and sexuality]. So I guess it’s a love song then? And I really like this song. http://youtu.be/XF3P4AAaVIg

Dan

  ·       Lover I Don't Have To Love by Bright Eyes

It's about that vulnerability of love, and how we deal with it. To love is quite a brave thing for your ego to do, as it opens it right up, all defenses fall. Sometimes it's easier not to love. http://youtu.be/iuXkhE0VMcw

   ·      Angie by The Rolling Stones

I used to listen to this when I was 10, it was sweet warm melancholy. I could feel the love, but it was bittersweet. Years later I listened again, and it was beautiful. Suddenly it was about that relentless kind of love, the love where you can still taste the tears years later. http://youtu.be/xAWRKjEZ-j4

DJ HAVANA BROWN

  ·        Let's Stay Together by Al Green

'Let's Stay Together' sums up want love is all about - standing by each other when times are good or bad, happy or sad. http://youtu.be/COiIC3A0ROM

  ·       Miss Independent by Ne-Yo

I love that Ne-Yo is completely mesmerized by this woman, so much that his feelings are beyond his control. http://youtu.be/k6M5C-oKw9k

   ·      At Last by Etta James

The sweeping orchestration gives this track a romance even before any lyrics have been sung. And none do it better than Etta! http://youtu.be/_1uunRdQ61M

   ·     That's The Way Love Goes by Janet Jackson

The smoothness of this song really adds to the idea that when love happens, it's best to just go with the flow. http://youtu.be/QUOkg4jFNus

  ·      If I Aint Got You by Alicia Keys

These lyrics are so poignant for our times, and a good reminder that love is more valuable than any material thing. http://youtu.be/Ju8Hr50Ckwk

   ·      Can't Get Enough of Your Love Baby by Barry White

The King of seduction! Barry White's track ignites passion! http://youtu.be/x0I6mhZ5wMw

   ·      You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker

Love is so subjective, and everybody's ideal of beauty is different. It reminds me to be myself because there's no need to conform. http://youtu.be/ZpgY5S3AcSw

KMC

   ·      Wake Up And Smell The Coffee by The Cranberries

This song sends me back to when my music really started to change. my brand new Hyundai Elantra was fully customize with loud music and when I cranked up this song, you would hear me from a mile away. This is when my Soca started to sound different from what was going on in Trinidad, true vibes that made me stand out as an artist. http://youtu.be/TGcHisWvmuo

  ·      Soul On Fire by KMC

This song is very special to me.  It was written after a night in the forest with my wife and friends the very next day when I asked her to iron a shirt for me the idea came in my head. I went to the studio immediately and did the rhythm for it and it brought me my first record deal. http://youtu.be/k6Eucgu1KVM Buy On iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/soul-on-fire/id73158651

  ·      Sweetest Taboo by Sade.  

I don’t need no form of drugs to put me on a high cause this song does it to me. http://youtu.be/kcPc18SG6uA

• I Have A Dream by ABBA

My favorite singing group of all time. We used to sing this one in school choir and I still know all the words of this song. http://youtu.be/qFHbwikzNds

   ·      Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson

This song speaks to you as a person, it’s very deep and everyone in the world can relate to this one. RIP MJ for giving the world so many great songs.http://youtu.be/PivWY9wn5ps     

MOHOMBI

  ·      Bump N' Grind by R Kelly

Because I love to bump and grind! http://youtu.be/uAXxkNaRkp8

  ·      My funny Valentine by Ella Fitzgerald

Absolutely love this classic. http://youtu.be/KqjKOalcI10 

 ·      Could You Be Loved by Bob Marley

Everybody can be loved. http://youtu.be/V-_NMAllsJc

• I Wanna Go Home by Michael Buble

I wanna be home for Valentine’s. http://youtu.be/lbSOLBMUvIE

• Nothing Compares by Sinead O’Connor

When love is real, you know. http://youtu.be/iUiTQvT0W_0

• Liberian Girl by Michael Jackson

To all my African beauties. http://youtu.be/f3V-7DEAgdc

 ·      Purple Rain by Prince

A love song for those rainy days. http://youtu.be/1JcQuSiEa-4

• Nobody Knows It But Me by Tony Rich Project

This one is dedicated to all the secret lovers out there! http://youtu.be/W7EyUY3-Wrg

• Lately by Stevie Wonder

This one speaks for itself. http://youtu.be/bozH0O_cVhY