The BRITs Critics' Choice Award 2016 shortlist revealed

The shortlist for the BRITs 2016 Critics’ Choice Award has been announced and it includes a soul singer from South London, a ballad maestro from Berkshire and an electronic pop wizard from Buckinghamshire.

Nominees Izzy Bisu, Frances and Jack Garratt were picked from over 100 artists for the award which will be decided by a team of media tastemakers and experts – from newspaper editors to radio bosses – and announced on Friday 27th November. 

All three artists are set to release their debut albums in 2016, with 21-year-old Izzy Bizu's A Moment of Madness out on Sony Music in May. Currently on tour in the US, pianist and vocalist Frances has written her forthcoming single, Borrowed Time, with Howard Lawrence form Disclosure and multi-instrumentalist Jack Garratt will release his debut LP ‘Phase’ on 19th February through Island Records.

Past award winners of the accolade include Adele in 2008, Florence + The Machine in 2009, Jessie J in 2011 and James Bay in 2015.

The announcement follows on from yesterday’s news that seminal Scottish fashion designer Pam Hogg will be designing this year’s individual BRIT statues, presented to the winners at the awards ceremony which takes place Wednesday February 24 2016 at London’s O2 Arena. It will be broadcast live on ITV.