Banks: new female artist to look out for

American, Los Angeles-based vocalist Jillian Banks, known as BANKS, has grown quite the reputation in a short time. It all started with her sultry single "Warm Water,” a somber, loungy, beat-driven single that captivated many ears. Her soothing vocals along with the song’s hook really set a wave through the blogosphere.

“London,” her debut EP, is packed with four melancholic tracks about disarrayed love, doled out over sparse R&B beats and soft, ambient melodies. With a voice that floats effortlessly between sultry, strong and wispy, Banks knows what she wants but also understands the pitfalls of the realities.

Certain lines are repeated over and over again, but instead of sounding excessively repetitive, Banks’ reiterations come off as necessary echoes. She has mentioned in interviews that writing songs and composing melodies are a must for her when she is overwhelmed with emotion or when she cannot formulate words accurate of her feelings. Writing makes her feel strong, and it shows in London EP.

The opener “Waiting Game” is Banks’ best moment yet: sampled breathy choir and subtle piano gives her a base to let her husky vocals take over. Banks sings of detachment and loneliness in the most alluring way, yet again showing her fragile nature. The sparking-with-electricity “This Is What It Feels Like” is a more intense song with mixed beats and proves the vague “It” in the song title does not matter, for listeners feel and embrace the emotional delivery of the track. It’s heart-stoppingly good stuff, and utterly compelling and beguiling.

Banks is an artist to watch in 2014. Whenever she does release a full length project, there is a strong chance that her popularity will sky rocket in the same fashion that artists like Lorde did in 2013. Why? Because her style is accessible to a large demographic and has the vocals to back it. Her raw and timeless voice will captivate listeners for years to come.