Emeli Sande, “Our Version of Events” (Capitol)

For at least the next year or so, every U.K. female singer who has a soulful voice and favors ballads has to deal with an unenviable fate — being compared with fellow Brit Adele.

That’s what Emeli Sande is facing with her debut, “Our Version of Events.” It doesn’t help that Emeli Sande’s real name is Adele — she started using her middle name when the current queen of pop became a sensation. Also like Adele, Sande has some mournful, heart-wrenching tunes in her repertoire. And like Adele, Sande is a gifted songwriter, co-writing all 14 tracks (including the last song, the gripping “Hope,” with Alicia Keys) on her album.

And finally, like Adele, she makes brilliant music. But what will make her a sensation is that she has a sound that is distinctly her own. While her piercing soprano is reminiscent of a lot of R&B and pop singers (perhaps most like Tamia’s), what sets Emeli apart is her material. “Our Version of Events” is a stunning collection of songs that creatively and imaginatively express age-old themes like heartache, love and more. “Suitcase” is a quivering song about a lover who walks out the door with no explanation. On the stark and beautiful “Breaking the Law,” Sande expresses her devotion to her man by offering to do a litany of criminal acts. And “River,” in which she offers to be a guide, is a gorgeous, piano-based track that is as majestic as its words.

There’s not one throwaway song on the album, just song after song that are must-listens. And yes, that’s another instance where she’s like Adele — or better yet, like Emeli Sande.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: On the sweeping “Maybe,” Sande attempts to find a resolution for a relationship at a stalemate — whether it involves reconciliation or breakup.

Scottish soul and R&B singer Emeli Sande got her start like so many noteworthy artists — as a songwriter…and a soon-to-be doctor. Before music became her full-time gig, Emeli was studying medicine at the University of Glasgow while keeping songwriting just a hobby. It was during her fourth year in school when she wrote the hook for a song called “Diamond Rings” and gave it to English rapper Chipmunk. With Sande’s vocals on the track, the song became a top 10 hit, and after penning songs for Cher Lloyd, Susan Boyle and Cheryl Cole(to name a few), Emeli soon landed a record deal with EMI. Needless to say, medicine would have to wait.

Emeli’s made her mark overseas already, having won the coveted Critic’s Choice statue at the 2012 Brit Awards, but now it’s time for you to get to know the “Heaven” singer. We sat down with Emeli, our PUSH artist of the week, and she opened up to us about her first U.S. album release, what she learned from writing for other artists before launching her solo career, and the importance of a hard day’s work: “You always hope maybe [your music] can do well, but you never know. And so finally, to feel like the hard work has paid off, it’s such a relief, and it was really encouraging to keep doing what I was doing.” We’re guessing 13-plus million views on her “Next To Me” video is a bit of a relief as well.

Emeli Sande’s Our Version Of Events is out stateside June 5.

Emeli Sande is already a star across the pond. Her debut album topped the charts in the UK this year. Her songwriting prowess has won wide acclaim and with her BRIT Critics’ Choice Award, she joins the company of artists including Adele and Florence and the Machine.

Now it’s time for another coming-out party of sorts. Sande is bringing her unique mix of pop ballads, soulful belting and dance arrangements to North America for a new tour. Her album, Our Version of Events, is out in the U.S. this week.

While Sande has become a performer in her own right, she came to that through writing songs for other people.

“I began writing when I was about 6 or 7. And even at that age, I just thought it was so incredible that you could create something from nothing, and it was all in your mind and imagination,” she tells Weekend Edition host Rachel Martin. “The combination of poetry and music I just thought was incredible.”

Her fallback plan should the music begins to fade? Neuroscience. She says she’s always been fascinated by the brain, and Sande was even in medical school before switching to a career in music.

“I would love to go back and use the degree in some way,” she says, “but within the music industry, you have a window, and you kind of have to seize the day when it comes.”

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Looking like a cross between Ella Fitzgerald and Robyn, Emeli Sandé has the poise, passion and musical potential to appeal to fans of both classic soul and modern R&B. Watch the magnetic performer play three songs in The Current’s studios.

Hi everyone, Emeli tweeted a new photo of her in the Capitol Records studio today! It appears that Emeli could be recording new music because of the paper on her music stand or rehearsal for something. Either way it’s very exciting! New music from Emeli Sande could be on it’s way! View the photo Emeli posted on her Twitter/Instagram above. Emeli looked gorgeous as always!

Hey everyone, Emeli recently did a beautiful new photoshoot with Nylon Magazine! We have the photos and Emeli looks beautiful! Emeli tweeted that the shoot was very fun! Check out the thumbnails below and visit the gallery for more!

Hey everyone so a few days ago Emeli performed at the Olympic Torch Relay and now sme pictures have surfaced. All the images have been uploaded to the gallery. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge them! Emeli looks beautiful!

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