Sam Smith

Catapulted into the spotlight by some canny guest appearances—including Disclosure's “Latch” and Naughty Boy's “La La La”—singer-songwriter Smith boasts a wonderfully smooth and delicate voice. Despite making his name with a pair of dance-pop hits, Smith's own albums are melancholy affairs, characterized by mopey piano ballads outfitted lyrics that wallow in the downsides of romance and love. Still, it's difficult to not be captivated by the vocal gymnastics of this capable pop crooner.