The Ivors Rising Star Award with Apple Music aims to shine a light on young British and Irish songwriters with exceptional talent, boundless potential and real ambition. The line-up of nominees in 2022—who are, for the first time ever, all female—have those ingredients in spades. These names faced off against fierce competition to make it here—and this playlist, curated by The Ivors, gives you a taste of why they’re rising to the top. Discover PinkPantheress, the enigmatic TikTok sensation whose UKG-sampling pop and incisive lyricism made her one of 2021’s most buzzed-about breakout stars, and North London’s Ashaine White, whose boundary-breaking “grunge soul” is influenced by artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Lianne La Havas, Radiohead and Nirvana. Then explore the moving, introspective pop of Irish singer-songwriter Luz, which has already caught the attention of Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Lewis Capaldi and more, and meet Matilda Mann, whose bright yet intimate sound has landed her support slots with Arlo Parks, beabadoobee and The Staves. There could only be one winner, however, and 2022’s Rising Star is East London singer, songwriter and producer Naomi Kimpenu, whose bold lyricism and Adele-meets-Sade Adu voice will stop you in your tracks.