Cheat Sheet 2011

Exam time is here, so the Morning Fader has not been. To make up were giving you the bands to put on your wall this year. With a review short enough to scrawl up your arm in Biro, and cover with a long sleeve shirt.

Esben and the Witch

Dark, dark, dark. Drenched in distortion, thundering drums and powerful vocals, Esben and the Witch are a storm in a forest. Album Violet Cries out 31st January 2011 on Matador Records



Warpaint

Put they're stamp on the end of 2010, but the momentum will bring them fighting into the new year. Self-titled album, out now on Rough Trade



The Good Natured

Understanding your genre is paramount. Sarah McIntosh creates electro-pop full of energy and emotion, never forgetting the tongue in cheek and self-awareness that pop needs to stop it for becoming plastic. New EP out on Rough Trade.



The Knocks

Chic, happy, playful. That's what a New Year needs. The Knock will be the band you pray will wake you up, accompanied by a spring sunrise, a lot could be in store for these guys. Think 'The Go! Team' with flowers in their hair. Label: HeavyRoc Music

James Blake

James Blake represents everything that is good in progressive music, taking on the features that made 2010, James Blake will make 2011. A combination of Jazzy, Post-dubstep, electronic and Hip Hop beats.


James Blake - Limit To Your Love from James Blake on Vimeo.

Jamie Woon 

'Night Air' took me by surprise last year, a moment stopping song. A perfect blend of styles, which makes for an accessible yet completely original song. We want more. Polydor label.


Jamie Woon - "Night Air" from lorenzo fonda on Vimeo.

Naked and Famous

'Young Blood' takes from MGMT, Vampire Weekend and Empire of the Sun (remember them?) to make inspiring track that bubbles and screams out "play me again!". With their new album 'Passive Me, Aggressive You' we can only hope they can keep us inspired.

Suuns

Subdued, mysterious and exciting. Vocals that creep through the mix, relaxing and floating into your sub-conscience. Sounds Dangerous, but we like it like that, don't we? Label Secretly Canadian


Suuns "Up Past the Nursery" from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.