'X Factor' Cher makes NME Cool List

X Factor finalist Cher Lloyd has been awarded a spot on NME magazine's Cool List.

The 17-year-old singer from Malvern was a surprise addition to the publication's annual countdown of its favourite musical acts, finishing in 66th place ahead of established stars such as Weezer's Rivers Cuomo and Muse's Matt Bellamy.

Justifying her position on the list, NME journalist Jaimie Hodgson described Lloyd as "relevant and in-touch with exciting breaking music cultures". Speaking about her audition performance of 'Turn My Swag On', he added: "Watching her 'do her thang' in front of monsieurs Walsh and Cowell's dropped jaws genuinely felt a bit subversive and special."

Since reaching the live shows, Lloyd has won praise from the judges for her renditions of 'Just Be Good To Me' and 'Hard Knock Life'.

Laura Marling, who won rave reviews for her I Speak Because I Can album earlier this year, topped the Cool List.