AS we prepare to step into a new year, it’s time to look ahead at the new stars of the music world, poised to make an impact in 2019.

Sam Fender: You know how it is: get named on BBC Radio 1’s Sound of the year list and win the Brits Critics’ Choice Award and you’re on your way to a stellar career. The young musician has received plenty of praise following the release of his debut EP in November, and he scored a spot on Later... With Jools Holland.

Grace Carter: Her debut EP, released earlier in 2018, was a critical triumph. Fans should catch her in smaller venues on her tour in the UK in March before she starts selling out the biggest arenas. She’s already on Amazon Music UK’s ones to watch list for 2019.

Ella Mai: British singer-songwriter Ella Mai has already started to make her sizeable impact on the industry in America. The R&B superstar-to-be nabbed two Grammy nominations in 2018, and her video for breakthrough single Boo’d Up has garnered more than 300 million views on YouTube.

Drax Project: This four-piece from New Zealand have been bubbling under for some time, but 2019 looks set to be the year they finally make it in the global market. Formed in 2014 and comprised of school friends Shaan Singh, Matt Beachen , Sam Thomsonand Ben O’Leary, they kicked off their career as buskers , but have gone on to perform 20 sold-out shows as well as supporting international acts including Ed Sheeran,

Self Esteem: Previously one half of genre-bending duo Slow Club, Rebecca Lucy Taylor is going it alone with her own brand of punchy, pop-tinged alternative music. The songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist releases her debut album in 2019, which is set to be big news if her last single Rollout is anything to go by.