Tips for 2011

Much like last year, I figured it easiest to put the artists in alphabetical order rather than in a chart as I'm not able to come to a conclusion I'm happy with on that front.


Brother

So apparently Britpop is back, or as they like to call it 'Gritpop'. After breakthrough 'Darling Buds Of May' being regularly plaudited by Zane Lowe they've signed to Geffen and been given the chance to work with The Smiths' and Blur's producer Stephen Street. It will be interesting to see how this relationship will flourish and hopefully it will have a positive affect on their frankly "wanker-ish" attitude. Catch them live in February to really see what I'm on about.

Listen to 'New Years Day'


Dry The River

To put it simply they make truly beautiful music, with layered harmonies and guitars weaving amongst themselves causing hearts to flutter. Being compared to Fleet Foxes and with a voice as soothing as this, it's no wonder they're the most recent in a line of fights between record labels this past year, over who gets to sign the 'next big thing'.

Listen to 'Shaker Hymns'


Dutch Uncles

Throwing out angular guitar lines left, right and centre and with a frontman with some of the best moves in the business, Dutch Uncles are a treat both live and on record. The Manchester band released their debut album on an industrial German label back in 2008 (which I personally love) and have since strengthened their sound and rejuvenated their setlist meaning they will be on many people's lips this coming year and no doubt snapped up by a label.

Listen to 'The Ink'


Funeral Party

So I blogged about these guys back in July and I'm just excited about them now as I was back then:
'the first band I've been this excited about in a long, long while. Hailing from East LA, I caught wind of them after hearing their single 'NYC Moves To The Sound Of LA' and managed to get hold of their EP' and along with that and some other absolute gems I was hooked. They seriously kick so much ass, and after supporting 30 Seconds To Mars on their arena tour they're more than warmed up for their debut UK headline tour in January to support their debut album.

Listen to 'Finale'


Futures

Futures were born from the ashes of Tonight Is Goodbye and gave away their debut mini-album, in the biggest-selling issue of Rocksound in over 2 years, earlier this year. They have since signed to Mercury Records and I eagerly anticipate the new songs, with hints of them changing their sound from a polished pop-punk to go in a softer more piano led style, being fanned by their giveaway of a stripped-down version of their song Thank You and the outline of lead singer Ant West sat at a piano on the posters for their next tour. They're going to be huge either way, especially with the fan base they've already built-up over the past few months of touring.


Listen to 'Sal Paradise'

Mona

Best described as the new 'old' Kings of Leon, you know, before they went all stadium rock and crap. Mona are classic, southern rock & roll and they're debut single on Universal is currently getting a lot of airplay on the radio and music channels. They look set to blow up this year and could easily be following Kings of Leon's footsteps to the bigtime if they play their cards right. I've got a feeling this summer could see them winning many hearts at the festivals.

Listen to 'Trouble On The Way'


Morning Parade

After getting hold of a few of their early demos at the start of this year I've been kept waiting on tenterhooks to start hearing the songs that had been written for their debut album due out on Parlophone. Morning Parade have played the long game and taken the best part of this year to get their act together and write songs that they know will get people listening. Keeping a good balance between synth and guitar, they could just be the new Coldplay.

Listen to 'Under The Stars'


The Vaccines

If you listen to 'Wreckin' Bar/Ra Ra Ra', you can tell that this is a band that means business. At just shy of a minute and a half long it knocked me for six and I instantly clicked replay. But they're no one-song wonders, having seen them live and hearing the rest of the catalogue, I'm very excited to hear more than the handful of recorded songs available on the net, as live they came across much like an early Strokes, with arguably their best songs yet to be heard by those that have seen them live. Basically, they're fucking awesome.

Listen to 'If You Wanna'


Wilder

Disco-tinged and ready for a party, Wilder were snapped up by Rough Trade earlier in the year and really did not disappoint with their debut single on the label. With some of the funkiest basslines that can be heard right now it will be interesting to see if they can replicate the catchiness of early hit 'Girls Vs Boys' in the rest of the songs due on the album.

Listen to 'Skyful Of Rainbows'


Yuck

Having only recently listened to Yuck for the first time after being badgered to do so by a friend for the most part of this year, I was pleasantly surprised by warming fuzz of guitars that greeted me. If you're looking a for a band of pretty boys to put up on your wall then they aren't for you, they are frankly weird looking. It's fuzzy and grungy as hell, the bass plods on through the noise and distorted guitar leads carve through the fog of reverb. Yuck just might prove that being uncool is cool.

Listen to 'Get Away'


Oh and a shout-out to Willow Smith for one of the catchiest tunes this year, 'Whip My Hair' is insane. She's probably going to be bigger than all of these artists combined, that family is just way too cool.

Well, here goes nothing.

PEACE,

Elliot