2009 hotshots

Poni Hoax - Images of Sigrid

2008’s been pretty exciting for new bands… or rather, acts that’ve been around that’ve finally lived up to their promise. We’re talking the large-scale success of Glasvegas alongside the mass-appreciation of acts like Friendly Fires, Metronomy, Cut Copy, et al.

So what I’m hoping for in 2009 is something akin to worship of a superb band I’ve found through the delights of trawling the interweb – they’re called Poni Hoax, and they are currently blowing my mind. An Italo disco version of The Chap, the band hail from Barbes, France, and are already two albums into their career. So when I call them a 2009 hotshot, I am introducing a small misnomer. I really mean, “hey, why the pony have you not heard of this band, your life is a severely depleted place without them”. Or such like. They’re quizzical, a tad dandy, and simply magnifique.

If you appreciate that tip, then try this one for size: Zeigeist. Hailing from the Swedish capital of Stockholm, they list their influences as including David Lynch, Comme des Garçons and Alexander McQueen. And they sound like… hmm… I guess they recall The Knife a tad, with a hint of something else. Does it matter who they sound like? Maybe pre-Web 2.0, but not now. Just go have a listen yourself, innit.

Next up, it’s The Virgins. Guitars with an underlay of funk, not rocket science but damn enticing. Donald, Nick, Wade and Erik produce some beautifully infectious choons fronted by something slightly cold akin to how Vampire Weekend pull off their Peter Gabriel trick. And it’s a wonder why the masses haven’t caught on yet. Must only be a matter of time.

Who else? Well one act that was somehow overlooked in 2008 was Amazing Baby, a more contained version of MGMT. But perhaps they’ve missed their chance now. Only time will tell, but whilst you’re waiting for that moment go here and listen to ‘em.

Anything else you’ve missed? Try these for size:

Dead Pixels: ‘Words Are Poison’ is so insistent that it’ll find itself stuck in your head for extensive and recurring periods of time. This is the synth that the ’80s dreamt it was made out of.

Mumford and Sons: Fey and constantly crescendoing, you’d be right in thinking that this lot come from the same little school as Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn, and Jay Jay Pistolet. They strums along in a carefree mist, so much so that you’d be heartless to not fall flat on your face in a Keatsian whimsy.

Sons of Noel and Adrian: Having caught this lot at Bush Hall supporting The Cave Singers early this year, I was transformed into a meerkat. This is a tip for fans of the Arcade Fire, who also dabble in Beirut and Elvis Presley.  

Official Secrets Act : I can’t ever remember having seen a band for the first time – never having heard of them, may I add - and then having one and/or more of their songs stuck in my head for weeks and weeks and weeks after. That happened with ‘Girl From The BBC’, and has now happened with ‘So Tomorrow’. Equally, I can’t tell you why they’re so great – on paper it’s formulaic, but the songs are so well crafted, they exude such a simple morality, they’re clear, they’re remind me of XTC… Oh drat, maybe that’s it…

Esser: Arguably, the same happened here. With ‘Headlock’, specifically. Whether it’s fortunate or unfortunate, he’s supporting Kaiser Chiefs on their huger-than-reality tour in February, so expect to hear much more of this fresh-faced groovemeister.

And comback kings/queens? There are many:

- The return of Kate Jackson of The Long Blondes in solo form

- Hazards of Love by The Decemberists

- Hercules and Love Affair’s soon-to-be released second long-player

- The rebirth of Maxïmo Park

- Blur’s comeback, of course

Oh, the excitement!