Arlissa featured on our list of nine artists to watch in 2013 so you may already be familiar with this exciting new talent. If not, Arlissa is a formidably talented 20 year old from London who has been making waves for some time now and this week she releases her first official single, in the shape of the magnificent and completely captivating ‘Sticks And Stones’.

‘Sticks And Stones’ is an amazing track, it is both mysterious and intriguing. From the relentless upbeat pulsating percussion beats, which is offset against the ethereal, emotive, wistful vocal delivery – there is sadness tinged with hopefulness rooted to the lyrical content. Arlissa sounds dejected, lost and forlorn as she sings “we crash and fall, together, so sad, we don’t remember…” but remains undefeated and determined as she pleads “can we try, to lay down, these sticks and stones.” It’s heartbreaking stuff.

‘Sticks And Stones’ is available to download now and is taken from Arlissa’s debut album ‘Battles’, which is due in September. In the meantime, if you fancy hearing more – sign up to her mailing list here to receive a free track entitled ‘Ghosts’.

Elsewhere, Arlissa will support upcoming US band The Neighbourhood on their forthcoming UK dates in May. She will also open for CSS in London – to keep up to date with her live shows, visit her events page here.