Acts to watch out for in 2010

I'll get straight to it; three acts you need to listen to now - The Gadsdens, King Charles and Ou Est Le Swimming Pool. I predict good things for all three in 2010. The Gadsdens, are an indie/pop band from East London. Their music is melodic, Jody Gadsden's voice is distinctive (to the extent of being haunting), and their tunes are addictive. Deservedly they have been getting a lot of high praise - NME, BBC Radio 2, MTV.co.uk and The Guardian are all fans. I can only echo the critic Tom Robinson's summary that they are "like Tracy Chapman on uppers and Stevie Nicks on downers." Check them out at www.myspace.com/thegadsdens and then find their rendition of Beyonce's Halo on Youtube to be truly blown away.

King Charles is original, not just in his appearance but with his music too. One minute his songs can have a nod-along, lyrical, folksy sound before suddenly exploding into a synth-filled, high-octane buzz of energy that turns your nod-along into a head banging rave - www.myspace.com/kingcharlesuk He's already performed at Glastonbury this year on the BBC Introducing stage so watch this space.

Fancy named Ou Est Le Swimming Pool hail from the far away land of Camden. Their sound is dance infused electro pop. Their style is eclectic; one dresses a bit like a chav, one is stuck in the 80s and the other looks like a Eurovision song contest finalist. Together though they look damn cool. Check out their single Dance the way I feel at www.myspace.com/ouestleswimmingpool

I think I should mention two acts who, if I'm honest, didn't really do it for me the first time I heard them. However, the more you listen to their songs the better they become. Darwin Deez looks like Richard Simmons crashed onto the set of Napolean Dynamite and landed on the central character's brother. Once you get past this though, his songs are feel-good summer hits. Especially his single Constellations - www.myspace.com/darwindeez
Another band with a very unique voice to watch out for are Wild Beasts. I can only describe the lead vocals as being a cross between Alison Moyet, a choir boy and Anthony Hegarty from Anthony and the Johnsons. Again though their songs are contagious and the voice, after your initial shock, you have to admit is shamefully good - www.myspace.com/wildbeasts The Fly describe in their magazine how the band made the album of the year so worth a listen.

One last thing - look out for the second coming of the Klaxons, Hadouken and Lightspeed Champion who all release albums in 2010.

We're in for a good year.