England’s first musical prodigy of the year is here. Jamie T is the new rage of 2007, with his debut album “Panic Prevention”.

Jamie T’s music is a jovial concoction of influences; everything from the Clash and reggae to drum & bass, to the Streets and punk. First and foremost though, it sounds urban and it is very easy listened.

The sound is straightforward but with a catchy twist. Jamie T makes great use of his sampling of poetry and odd noises to paint a more vibrant, urban picture with his music.

His lyricism is one of Jamie T strongest cards, despite only being 21 years old. His style of writing is reminiscent of another British genius, Pete Doherty. Jamie T uses a thick cockney dialect and poor grammar to his advantage and just the way the words tumble out his mouth, it sounds great.

In matter of lyrical themes, it is your usual working class street poetry about who went to bed with whom and who got their teeth kicked in by whom. It is drunken revelry and personal uprisings, the movie “Trainspotting” put into sound.

The subject matter itself isn’t that original. It is the execution and the presentation that is impressive, both witty and charming at the same time.

The strongest song on the album is the first single “Sheila,” an upbeat and danceable track. The song is actually kind of sad when you realize it is an expose of why heavy drinking may not be the best of ideas.

“Operation” is one of the rockier songs on the album, with a distinct Arctic Monkeysesque, tight and pent up sound to it.

“Salvador” has an entertaining spaghetti-western kind of feel to it and a wicked bass line that will reverberate in your head long after the song is over.

“So Lonely was the Ballad” is one of those priceless, simple and beautiful pop songs with keyboards to fall down on your knees for.

The fact that Jamie T “Panic Prevention” is released now, in London, early 2007 comes as no surprise.

It is the type of album that feels like an obvious continuation of other great British acts such as the Arctic Monkeys, the Streets, MIA, Lilly Allen and just about everything Pete Doherty has been involved with.

“Panic Prevention” stands as a great example that mainstream doesn’t have to suck. If artists like this were promoted in the face of populist garbage, perhaps radio music would be a pleasant alternative to your iPod.

As a curiosity, Jamie T started out as a guitarist, but picked up the bass because he found it too difficult to sing and strum guitar chords at the same time.

“Panic Prevention” was released on January 29 on Virgin Records.