The Festive 50 – Sunday mercury Sunday, December 28th 2014

1. LEWIS WATSON: The Morning

Debut album by the Youtube sensation from Bicester includes Stones Around The Sun, one of the year’s best songs.2. A GREAT BIG WORLD: Is There Anybody Out There?

Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino write witty pop, but Say Something, featuring one Christina Aguilera, is heartbreaking.3. JENNY LEWIS: The Voyager

Former Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis revels in skewed story-telling pop and rock with a subversive edge4. RON POPE: Calling Off The Dogs

Great set list highlighted by show-stealers Explain and Nothing will surely be coveted by all X-Factor wannabes.5. PASSENGER: Whispers

Brighton’s Michael Rosenberg’s quirky voice stole hearts this year – but standout Bullets is deliciously disturbing.6. TWIN ATLANTIC: Great Divide

The Glaswegian festival favourites give The Killers a run for their megabucks with irresistible pop hooks and rock riffs.7. ED SHEERAN: X

There’s no stopping the carrot-topped troubadour, who builds on his debut with the most streamed album in the world.8. GEORGE EZRA: Wanted On Voyage

Where on earth does that amazing, old beyond his years, voice come from? Well, actually it’s from Hertfordshire.9. NINA PERSSON: Animal Heart

The only Cardigan you’ll ever want to find under the Christmas tree, Nina’s warm pop vocal gives you a huge hug.10. RUBY TURNER: All That I Am

Birmingham soul queen Ruby returns with an eclectic genre-striding set, including a

delightful duet with Passenger.