Actress (GB)

The English DJ/producer Darren Cunningham, who goes by the somewhat misleading stage name Actress, has only recently gained popularity outside a small group of fans. Enthusiastic reviews of his latest album, Splazsh, launched him out of obscurity, with such magazines as “The Wire” choosing it as the best record of 2010. While the critics see Actress as a savior and a breath of fresh air on the dubstep scene, the artist admits to having greater interest in the techno pumping out of Detroit and Berlin, as well as such classics as Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. No wonder he prefers to describe his music as “r’n’b concrète,” without a hint of boasting. His compositions are catchy — almost pop-like — and yet avant-garde at the same time.