The dissolution of her band Zoo Animal's original lineup was unfortunate but shed light on the dark and mysterious talent of Newsom, 26, who is carrying on with new band members and a new, mostly solo EP, "Departure." She grew up in an all-female conservative Christian household in Cokato, Minn., and writes about God's salvation and devilish temptations purely but evocatively. Her soft-howler voice -- think Cat Power's Chan Marshall -- adds to her songs' haunting beauty.
Runner-up: Bethany Larson
