The xx
This indie-pop outfit from across the pond exploded onto the scene in 2009 with their self-titled debut album. Mixing the sounds of the dark and morbid with catchy synth hooks and syrupy vocal lines, The xx have followed in the sonic footsteps of their countrymen, The Cure, and the result is fresh and exciting. Expectations in 2010 for this band are high, and while it’s possible they will fall into the pile of 21st century one-hit wonders, it would be a mistake not to keep a discerning ear pointed in their direction. Make sure to catch them on their US tour starting in March.
Nneka
This half-Nigerian, half-German songstress is fully awesome. Her debut album, 2005’s Victim of Truth , was never released stateside but it was compared to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. With her soulful, hypnotic voice and politically-inflected lyrics, we can see why. Her new album, Concrete Jungle, drops February 2, and we have a feeling it is going to be a very good year for Nneka. Listen to “The Uncomfortable Truth” for a stunning preview.
Beach House
With two critically acclaimed albums under their belt, Baltimore-based “dream pop” duo Beach House may well penetrate the consciousness of the mainstream, as would be suggested by recent collaborations with Grizzly Bear. Even if not, they will remain under the radar but still very much appreciated. Their new single “Norway” may not be radio material, but you’d be missing the point of Beach House if that’s what you were expecting. Look for this band to take chill to a whole new level in 2010—their new album is less than a month away.
Neon Indian
MGMT clones are a dime a dozen these days. The formula for success has been discovered and appropriated by a depressingly long list of artists. At first, Alan Palomo’s project, Neon Indian , seems like just another copycat climbing aboard the upbeat danceable indie train. But there is something ethereal and mysterious about his 2009 debut LP, Psychic Chasms, that asks listeners to take a closer look. With Moody Blues-sounding triptastic vocal lines and intricate synth layers, Neon Indian takes admirable risks in his first album. Stepping a little out of the indie formula has paid off and 2010 is going to be an important year for seeing what else this guy has in store for us.
Chiddy Bang
This killer group is comprised of four Philly-native college kids, and is doubtlessly one of the most exciting hip-hop acts we’ve heard in a long time. Although perhaps hip-hop isn’t the most accurate moniker. Chiddy Bang puts Kid Cudi to shame, sampling tracks from everywhere—Tom Waits! MGMT! Radiohead!—and bending the constraints of the genre. They even collaborated with Passion Pit. Their mixtape The Swelly Express debuted at the end of 2009. Given the quality of tracks like “Because,” we expect wild things in 2010.
