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It doesn't always take years of hard graft and kicking down doors to reach worldwide success, some of the biggest bands on the planet right now have only two albums to their name. 

The artists on the list may come as a surprise considering they are spending most of their time headlining festivals, spread across the media and generally dominating the mainstream music scene - you'd be forgiven for thinking they had a huge back catalogue but they really don't... Check out our run down below.

 1. Mumford & Sons: Probably the only band to have successfully brought banjos into the mainstream, the folk four piece have exchanged small venue gigs with headlining slots along with The Rolling Stones at Glastonbury. They have expanded well beyond their origins in the West London folk scene and have even managed to crack America.

2. Adele: Having introduced her music to the world via a MySpace page back in 2006, Adele has catapulted into worldwide critical recognition. The 9-times Grammy award winner became the first artist to sell more than 3 million copies of an album in a year in the UK with 21. Not only that, she can now tick off 'write and perform a Bond theme tune' off her bucket list.

3. Bruno Mars: With a career that only took off in 2010, Mars had previously only found success by contributing vocals to "Nothin' on You" by B.o.B and "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy. Since then, Mars has sold 8 million albums and 58 million singles worldwide just from his two studio releases.

4. Katy Perry: With more followers than Barack Obama, the Teenage Dreams singer has become the most followed person on twitter. With her film Part Of Me documentating her collossal rise to stardom, it's incredible to believe the pop icon with a sex symbol status discovered her musical talent singing in a christian gospel chior.

5. Lady Gaga: Gaga has without a doubt earnt herself a reputation as the biggest female popstar on the planet since Madonna. Racking up controversies on a daily basis and boasting a cult following of "Little Monsters", the star is known worldwide for her flamboyant image, eccentric lifestyle and a solid collection of hit singles. 

6. Nicki Minaj: Rapper, singer, songwriter, actress, television personality, Minaj does it all. Following high profile collaborations with the likes of Kanye West on his My Beautiful Dark Fantasy album, Minaj finally earnt her breakthrough in 2010.  With a public image as extreme as Gaga's, she's one of the biggest female personailities in the worldwide music scene.

7. Ellie Goulding: Coming from a small town in Herefordshire, the 'Starry Eyed' singer first gained recognition as the winner of the BBC Sound of 2010 poll before the release of her debut album. Commercial breakthrough shortly followed and has been helped along the way by collaborations with Skrillex, Calvin Harris and even a track featuring on a John Lewis advert. She's massive in American too.

8. Amy Winehouse: Before her untimely and tragic death in 2011, Amy Winehouse received critical recognition for the iconic Back to Black album which was later to become the UK's best-selling album of the 21st century after her death. Although at some points in her career she was featured in the media more for her personal life and alcohol and drug abuse rather than her music, both her records leave an outstanding legacy ensuring that she will be remembered as one of the greatest female voices of all time.  

9. The XX: With a debut album that won the Mercury Music Prize in 2010, the shy indie band have only ever received constant critical acclaim. Following their second record Co-exist, the band have confirmed their status as regular festival headliners and as one of the most musically exciting (if downbeat) British acts.

10. Florence and the Machine: With a reputation as the romantic musical darling of the fashion world, Florence Welch, talent spotted whilst singing in a night club toilet has gone onto receive huge acclaim, headline festivals, share stages with The Rolling Stones and feature on Hollywood movie soundtracks.