First sight: Kid Adrift

Who is he? A 21-year-old named Iain Campbell from Clackmannanshire, central Scotland. He's just been signed to Island after a bidding war for his music, which sounds a little like Muse being remixed by Aphex Twin. In a good way? His growing band of ­supporters clearly think so. ­Radio 1 is firmly on board, while ­industry newsletter Record of the Day made the twisted pop blast of Red, Green and Blue their record of the year for 2009. Not bad for a track ­recorded in Campbell's bedroom with a ­ £10­ microphone. Should he be lumped in with fellow Scottish electro tunesmiths Calvin ­Harris and Mylo? No, there's a darker, dubstepesque ­underbelly to Kid Adrift's music. As a boy, Campbell once ripped off Santa's beard at a party, ­because he enjoys ­ taking twee things and twisting them. That extends to his music, where big, ­tuneful hooks battle despairing lyrics and ­discordant beats. Are his live shows a man hunched over a laptop? "He" becomes "they" for gigs, with Campbell the singer/guitarist in a four-piece band. Judging by their ­shuddering BBC Introducing session in October, they make the transition well. Where can I hear him? An album isn't expected until early 2011, but five tunes are at ­myspace.com/ kidadrift and a busy summer at the ­festivals beckons.