THE BACKSTORY:
Scottish singer Bow Anderson released her debut track ‘Sweater’ at the very start of lockdown in March – perhaps not the best time for a pop starlet to launch her career. On the contrary: four months on from its debut, ‘Sweater’ has now surpassed four million streams, picked up support across Radio 1 and by Elton John on Beats 1, as well as going top 20 on Spotify’s Viral Charts.
Turning adversity into strength has, of course, been a recurring theme in Bow Anderson’s career. Born and bred on the east side of Edinburgh, as a teenager Bow took part in competitive trampolining, training with people who went on to be part of Team GB before a freak accident put a halt to her competing at the National Championships (“I almost lost my leg,” she says today). With her athletic dreams shattered, Anderson – who faced the prospect of never walking or dancing again – found salvation in music. Following intensive rehabilitation, Anderson upped sticks and moved to London to study music at the renowned BIMM Institute, making industry contacts and eventually securing a deal with Universal.
She’s only released two singles so far – debut track ‘Sweater’ and the recent ‘Heavy’ – but it’s not hard to see why Anderson has been so heavily tipped for superstardom. Owing as much to the pop classicism of Motown and Phil Spector as she does the attitude of Rihanna, the 23-year-old starlet delivers gutsy, spirit-rousing pop songs shot through with frank, warts-and-all lyrics.
Bold, frank and refreshing, few artists have made quite as impressive a start as Bow Anderson. Whatever she does next, we fully expect her to maintain those majestic high standards.
KEY TRACK: ‘Sweater’. The track which first launched her to stardom, this joyful, Motown-infused soul banger perfectly encapsulates Bow Anderson’s deeply optimistic, defying-all-odds attitude.
FOR FANS OF: Dua Lipa, Lizzo, Anne-Marie.
