Anderson East

While singer-songwriter Anderson East didn't cut his latest album, Encore, live, the songs have a real immediacy to them. The swinging, horn-driven “Girlfriend,” a track with the late Avicii, suggests how open East, who sounds particularly souful on the song, is to collaboration. In addition to the alt-country trappings, the track features a great synth solo. For the live show, a backing band adds some serious punch to the tunes too. East comes from a country tradition, but he's recently embraced soul, blues and old school R&B. (Niesel)