LONDON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Singer-songwriter Tom Odell was
named the Brit Awards' tip for the top in 2013, the first male
artist to receive the honour previously won by chart queens
including Adele and Jessie J.
The 22-year-old, whose musical style and voice has drawn
comparisons to Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, beat London
electronic duo AlunaGeorge and classically trained soul singer
Laura Mvula to the Critics' Choice Award.
Selected by a panel of music industry experts, the annual
prize goes to a British artist tipped for mainstream success,
and previous winners have gone on to top charts in Britain and
beyond.
"Looking at the list of amazing female artists who have won
the Award already, I just hope I don't let the boys down!" Odell
said in a statement.
He released his debut E.P. "Songs From Another Love" in late
2012 and followed up with a performance on the popular live
music show "Later...with Jools Holland".
Odell also appears on the BBC's Sound of 2013 longlist and
MTV's Brand New For 2013 selection of 10 up-and-coming artists,
as the music business seeks to identify the chart-toppers of
tomorrow.
Many acts, including Odell, already have record deals with
major labels.
(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)