Aurora Aksnes

Aurora is named well. The quirky and wise-beyond-her-years 18-year-old singer from Bergen, Norway can easily be likened to the Northern Lights -- a stunning, natural display of light, but not without darkness. Her voice glows, has a range of colors and moods, and can have an entrancing, fairy-like quality. Better known by her first name only, Aurora's New York debut performances of her electronic-folk stood out at this year's CMJ festival. I have a feeling that we're about to see her star rise and leave a lasting impression. (Carmel Holt)