JOSEF SALVAT

The background: Josef Salvat studied law at the University of Sydney before pursuing music full-time, and spent the last three years working with producer Rich Cooper (Mystery Jets, Razorlight) and Gustave Rudman, who handled the orchestral arrangements. Josef Salvat infiltrated the international musical landscape in 2013 in a way that made it feel like he’d always been a part of it. Quietly posting tracks like “This Life”, “Hustler” and “Every Night”, he seemed to collect influential fans without even trying. Salvat’s latest EP, “In Your Prime“, was released on 22 September 2014 and is generating some stateside buzz ahead of an album release early next year.

Hometown: Sydney, Australia.

The truth: Josef Salvat writes his own songs, which might explain why they feel so intimate, but even his stripped-down cover of Rihanna’s “Diamonds” packs twice the emotional punch of the original.

The buzz: Salvat’s intimate lyricism, distinct turn of phrase and dark melodies have already garnered over 1.5 million Soundcloud plays and close to 1 million YouTube views.

What to buy: “In Your Prime”.

File next to: Morrissey, Lana Del Rey & Gotye.