You Oughta Know : Paolo Nutini

Don't feel guilty for confusing Paolo Nutini with a middle-aged dude. With his whiskey-soaked tales of relationships gone wrong, the young Scotsman comes off more experienced than his young age would indicate. On "Last Request," a sleek, down-tempo ditty from the terrific THESE STREETS, he channels a young Van Morrison, soulfully asking a lover for one more evening of shared secrets. But he's not mellow all the time. Nutini's youth can be heard in feisty tunes such "Jenny Don't Be Hasty," where he ardently pleads with a dismissive older woman while an addictive guitar riff ricochets around the room. Working both angles helped him become a sensation in Britain. Don't be shocked if he hits your iPod soon.