Last year, no one knew of tiny Welsh singer Aimee Duffy. This year, critics call her “the new Amy,” as in a replacement for our favorite cracked out soul singer, Amy Winehouse.

Duffy released Rockferry in the US March 2008, and soon after everyone knew the words to her catchy radio-ready tune “Mercy.” The single propelled Rockferry to the top of the UK and US charts. Official UK Charts Company announced she’s the “biggest selling musician of 2008 so far.” “Mercy” also snagged the top singles position on the charts, just a few spots ahead of Adele, Duffy’s biggest soul-singer competition.

Best-selling singles of 2008:

1. Duffy – ‘Mercy’
2. Nickleback – ‘Rockstar’
3. Basshunter feat. DJ Mental Theo – ‘Now You’re Gone’
4. Estelle feat. Kanye West – ‘American Boy’
5. Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake – ’4 Minutes’
6. Flo Rida feat. T-Pain – ‘Low’
7. Sam Sparrow – ‘Black And Gold’
8. Rihanna – ‘Don’t Stop The Music’
9. Adele – ‘Chasing Pavements’
10. H Two O feat. Platinum – ‘What’s It Gonna Be’

Best-selling albums of 2008:

1. Duffy – ‘Rockferry’
2. Coldplay – ‘Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends’
3. Nickleback – ‘All The Right Reasons’
4. Scouting For Girls – ‘Scouting For Girls’
5. Amy Winehouse – ‘Back To Black (Deluxe Edition)’
6. Leona Lewis – ‘Spirit’
7. Adele – ’19′
8. Amy MacDonald – ‘This Is The Life’
9. Mika – ‘Life In Cartoon Motion’
10. Neil Diamond – ‘Home Before Dark’

Check out the title track from Duffy’s latest disc.

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[NME]