Style: Stellar, sing-along rock colored by cool country sensibilities; compare to Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen and Keith Urban
Top tracks: "Someone to Love," "Singing Along," "Still Be Loving You"
In a nutshell: Beneath the guise of a standard "singer/songwriter" moniker lies the alluring musicianship of Nashville indie artist Stephen Garrett. Combining the melancholic strains of Americana with the commercial hooks of pop and soulful grit of rock 'n' roll, Garrett strikes a perfect balance between soft-spoken folk and arena anthems. Four Letter Word is a killer collection of tunes running the gamut of emotion, from longing to loss to true love. These songs ain't pretty, but with so much raw feeling packed into each and every line, they sure are beautiful. It's a wonder Stephen Garrett isn't yet a household name. But this is a great place to start.