We continue our crystal ball stare into the musical future and hope that the work of the following rather talented people finds its way to your ear drums many times this year.
GEORGE PRINGLE
Spoken-word artists rarely sound like George Pringle: a softly-spoken twenty-something with an unashamedly ambiguous accent, a million miles away from the streetwise Mike Skinners and mockney Plan Bs that dominate the genre. Her debut EP demonstrated a rare understanding of the relationship between music and lyrics. She is unashamedly innovative and a truly special talent.
www.myspace.com/georgepringle

WOMEN
Sounds like Times New Viking but much better, Women are a low-fi Canadian noise rock band whose amazing debut album will wow the nation when it is released in the UK in January.
www.myspace.com/womenmusic

COPY HAHO
Releasing a new EP in February and they're touring with The Xcerts.
www.myspace.com/copyhaho

THE CARRIER
Already making waves in a genre not know for it's creative output, Boston's The Carrier have had an impressive 12 months. Their debut 7" sold out and was repressed, last year's 'One Year Later...' full-length was well-received in the hardcore community, and follow-up EP 'No Love Can Save Me' released on Deathwish, was easily one of the highlights of the year for me. After a stint supporting NYHC legends Agnostic Front, and a UK tour opening for Killing The Dream over the new year period, the band hope to put out album number two sometime in 2009. Keep your ears open for more of their discordant brand of melodic hardcore in the coming months.
www.myspace.com/thecarrierhc

FRANK TURNER
Mixed feelings about this one. The man is a legend, and nothing he's done up til now has ever even threatened to convince me otherwise. As long as he avoids the claws of daytime radio DJs anxious to prove their worth to the station by reeling in the 'next big thing', I have no doubt that he'll produce another corker of an album next year. If there ever was a man you could rely on to keep his feet on the ground, though, surely its Frankie T?
www.myspace.com/frankturner

SKY LARKIN
Leeds threesome, optimistic Britpop for the sunshine behind the winter rain. Released some great singles, and the album managed to exceed my expectations. Lovely, intricate guitar-pop with fantastic vocals. They should become pretty big pretty soon.
www.myspace.com/skylarkinskylarkin

NO AGE
Scuzzy, powerful noise rock - an amazing debut album.
www.myspace.com/nonoage

LET'S WRESTLE
Amusing rock creations from the London band on brilliant independent label, Stolen Recordings.
www.myspace.com/letsfuckingwrestle

LUKE LEIGHFIELD
How he does it is beyond me. He manages to improve with every release almost to the point of reinvention, and this guy's not yet 22. Surely one of the hardest-working men in pop (countless shows and merchandise designs, a European tour, music videos and, to top it off, university), it's about bloody time his persistence paid off.
www.myspace.com/simplylukeleighfield

THE STEAL
One of the best punk bands in the UK. It really is as simple as that, folks. And with Fucked Up paving the way for hardcore bands, there could well be a place for The Steal in 2009.
www.myspace.com/thesteal

LA ROUX
If "Bulletproof" doesn't become the new "Umbrella", then I'll eat something woolly. Well, maybe not, but it really is a hit, and she will be big. Just you wait!
www.myspace.com/larouxuk

VIVA MACHINE
These guys deserve to be huge already. Not only are they a unique act (the nearest I can get to describing their sound is Queens of the Stone Age meets electropop), but they are one of the best live acts around. Definitely one of the best young bands in the country. Check them out and see for yourself.
www.myspace.com/vivamachine

SCREAMING LIGHTS
If indie is your bag, Screaming Lights blend a multitude of musical references to create everything from Killers-esque rave rock in dance-sensible ‘GMN’ to deliciously sliding and dark British indie in ‘Glow’.
www.myspace.com/screaminglights

THE BRUTE CHORUS
The Brute Chorus are making waves and one listen to The Brute Chorus’s infectious hybrid of skiffle-rockabilly-blues is enough to work out why. A must-see live act, Their debut album is set for release next year.
www.myspace.com/thebrutechorus

FLOORS AND WALLS
A mix of indie, rap and west coast funk. Won several competitions and have a fast growing fan base and profile. Emerald: Heavy rock band with catchy tunes, a perfect balance between listener-friendly and advanced musicianship. Swallowing Shotguns: An aggressive band who manage to have put their unique touch on '80s style metal.
www.myspace.com/floorsandwalls

THE VIRGINS
The latest band not afraid to take us back to classic 80s New Wave, The Virgins served up a treat with their debut single “Rich Girl”. Having opened for Mark Ronson and Tokyo Police Club to name just two, their catchy and well produced pop rock hooks will enter your head and refuse to budge.
www.myspace.com/thevirginsnyc

MC RUT
Turn up, rock out. MC Rut have exploded into MTV TWO's consciousness in the last couple of months with their massive sound which recalls the best bits of Jane’s Addiction, RATM and At The Drive In, as showcased on their debut “Busy Bein’ Born” through the always-on-the-money Kids label.
www.myspace.com/middleclassrut

KID CUDI
Bursting out of a thoroughly revived US hip-hop scene, this insanely talented young man has MTV DANCE swooning with his electro-driven Day ‘n’ Night collaboration with Crookers. His solo tracks are more old-school influenced but the rhymes are just as fresh.
www.myspace.com/kidcudi

MASTER SHORTIE
The UK’s brightest new hip-hop talent – a genuine star in the making with serious crossover appeal.
www.myspace.com/mastershortie

LORD AUCH
Like a melodramatic Vincent Vincent and the Villians, Lord Auch showcase a vocal sound that wouldn’t be out of place on a breakthrough fifties rock n’ roll hit.
www.myspace.com/lordauchuk

LITTLE BOOTS
When MTV.co.uk filmed a Spanking New Session with Little Boots last October she proved she has the potential to become a major talent. She’s now set to release one of the most anticipated UK debut albums for a long time, packed with her trademark electro-driven pop smashes.
www.myspace.com/littlebootsmusic