Lots of these lists coming out of late. Figured it'd be nice to have a section of the site compiling the different lists...

LA Times Music Blog (Mapei, K'naan, Jay Rock, etc):

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/artist_to_watch/index.html

The Guardian (VV Brown, La Roux, Hearts Revolution, etc):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jan/02/pop-rock-2009-preview-music

Jeff Miers - Buffalo News  (Fleet Foxes, VW, Santogold, etc):

http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/story/539732.html

fuck you.

asshole.

Another list (N.A.S.A.,Florence and the Machine, The Knux, Magistrates, Land of Talk, Teen Anger).

 

Florence and the Machine

Twenty-two-year-old Florence Welch is a south London native who walks the line between howling anthems and delicate art-pop, a disparity that will make her 2009’s model for eccentric sound and style. While she’s only released a handful of singles thus far, her debut album is due in May from Island Records. If we had to select a new tortured British starlet to make up for the loss of Amy Winehouse to her superhuman drug addiction, Florence would be our candidate. Just keep her away from Pete Doherty!

http://www.thevarsity.ca/article/6473

Via: LHB

15 artists from Metromix...

The Whip, Friendly Fires, Black Milk, the Postelles, Asher Roth, Passion Pit, Riverboat Gamblers, Little Boots, The Japanese Popstars, Bang Camaro, etc.

...

In today’s blog-driven music scene, bands get anointed the Next Big Thing from so many corners and at such an accelerated pace that it’s a fool’s mission to guess which ones will actually make an impact. So call us a bunch of fools: here are Metromix’s picks for 15 up-and-coming artists that we think are worthy of the hype. From British dance-pop crews like the Whip (pictured) and Friendly Fires to hip-hop upstarts like Black Milk and Asher Roth to keepers of the indie rock flame like the Postelles, there’s something here for everyone to look forward to in 2009.

 

Denver Metromix:

http://denver.metromix.com/music/photogallery/blowin-up-in-09/888582/content

Spin's 8 Undiscovered Bands Worth a Listen. I haven't heard of any of these bands.

 

Recently, SPIN and music community website Sonicbids teamed up to bring worthy new bands the attention they deserve. Tonight at midnight EST, Boston radio station WFNX will broadcast the latest installment of the SPIN/Sonicbids Emerging Artists' Showcase, featuring eight cool new bands from around the world, hand-picked by SPIN.com staffers from more than 500 submissions....

 

To be considered for future shows, click here to find out more.

Golden Bloom

Hometown: New York, NY Recommended if you like… Wilco, Matthew Sweet Why we picked them: We're admittedly big Wilco fans, and "Doomsday Devices" feels like a great b-side from the Summerteeth era. Links:MySpace | Official site

Listen: Golden Bloom, "Doomsday Devices" (DOWNLOAD MP3)

http://www.spin.com/articles/spin-picks-8-undiscovered-bands-worth-listen

Stereogum - Artist to Watch: I Was A King 

 The new self-titled album, which follows 2007's Losing Something Good for Something Better, features Serena-Maneesh's Emil Nikolaisen on bass, drums and a co-production credit, alongside guest spots from Sufjan Stevens, Danielson and Ladybug Transistor, among others. But even without "star" contributions, the 15 tracks add up to pleasingly dense, tuneful, and ambitious batch of psychedelic power pop.

http://stereogum.com/archives/band-to-watch/band-to-watch-i-was-a-king_048321.html

Myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/iwasaking

Stereogum - Artist to Watch:

The Rayographs are a UK trio. At first listen they're reminiscent of Grace Slick working with the Breeders, but they tap into a dark psychedelia that's quite different than the sounds created by the sisters Deal.

...

http://stereogum.com/archives/band-to-watch/band-to-watch-the-rayographs_048991.html

Myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/therayographs