As the UK pop scene sweeps us into an electrosynth-heavy world, Roxanne Tataei aka ROX sticks her foot in the door and sings a tune packed with so much soul, it's amazingly... amazing. The half-Jamaican, half-Iranian girl from Norbury has been tipped for 2010 success by various magazines and websites such as HMV, The Guardian, NME, MTV UK, and made the shortlist for the BBC Sound of 2010 poll.

Rox's music can be described as a crossbreed of Adele and Duffy's soulful vocals, Macy Gray-style song production, and Corrine Bailey Rae's laid back feel. The lyrics of My Baby Left Me screams with conviction as Rox croons, "so who’s to blame for the messy ending, you say it’s me but we’d be pretending, you work your dirt just like a pro..." but the song itself is a lively affair with a feelgood tempo which News of the World dubbed as "the bitchiest break-up song EVER." In contrast to this, No Going Back has a darker vibe with Rox pouring her heart out on these lines "no going back on this one... 'cos all the hurt has been done", resulting in an equally brilliant track.

When I asked her about her debut album, Memoirs, Rox had this to say,

"I think you should expect a few things from the album. For me, this album has many layers and textures. It's mostly about relationships and the emotional rollercoaster I went through. I think it's an album people can connect and relate to, especially women. We've all had our hearts broken... But listen, it's not all doom and gloom, PROMISE!"

Basing on her four tracks on MySpace, this will be one soul-packed record with tinges of reggae and infused with a lot of sass.

Though critically-acclaimed, My Baby Left Me barely entered the UK charts, and when I mentioned what she had in mind were she not in the music business, she answered,

"Mmmm, If i wasn't in the music business I reckon I'd quite like to be a landscape designer somewhere in the South of France...I love the outdoors and I especially have a thing for flowers... I'm such a girl at heart! Ha!"

As soon as word got out of this exciting new prospect, major labels were scrambling to sign Rox, but she chose to go with indie label Rough Trade. Why?

"Two words... Artistic integrity! I knew that they weren't going to try and mould me into something I wasn't. Also they were and still are so passionate about what I do! That really excited me, and to think all they'd heard at that point was a few tunes on MySpace!"

I also asked her about her major influences on music.

"I've had so many influences in my life, but the major ones would have to be the strong poweful women in my life. My mum, Frida Kahlo, Sade & Lauryn Hill. All four have affected my music greatly, but all in different ways. My mum's my rock and has shown me constant support throughout my career, Frida Kahlo inspires me to always follow your dream no matter what obstacles come in your way, Sade taught me that less is more and Miss Hill taught me the importance of lyrics..."

Is there anyone in the business that you want to work with?

"Most definitely... There are so many talented people out there! I love hip-hop, so it'd be such an honour to do a duet with Common or Mos Def! Or of course working with one of my inspirations like Sade!"

The future seems bright for this 22-year old lass who's bent on revitalizing the UK soul sound with twists and tricks of her own.

"Well I'm just taking each day at a time... but hey, I have a lot of plans and I like to think big. Let's just say WATCH THIS SPACE!"

Rox's video for My Baby Left Me: