“Queer pop’s” all conquering newcomer blends pop and outspoken LGBT politics with breathtaking aplomb. “Baby it feels good to be a dyke bitch on a massive billboard,” the artist otherwise known as Mikaela Straus declared on Instagram recently, as well she might. Her break-out hit ‘1950’ is, she says, inspired by the Patricia Highsmith novel adapted into the movie Carol and by “mid-century” gay relationship dynamics. Top that, Ed Sheeran.

Hear: ‘1950’ is a torch song that leaves real scratch-marks.

See: Check out her stunning performance of the aforementioned track on Later… With Jools Holland.