Blair

Blair released her debut album, Die Young, this month. Crammed full of shimmering, bright pop covering hidden layers of depth and pain. It's an album of unseen depths and heart. Don;t let the pop sensibilities fool you. Its slightly reminiscent of what would happen if Liz Phair began her career now.

Small Black

Small Black are infectious. This Brooklyn band produce similar dreamy/hazy pop tunes in the same mould as Washed Out. Their Self titled EP came out at the end of last year to good reviews. They are off to SXSW this year and with the current climate for glo-fi music they could make a splash.

Spark Out

I know very little about her so I'll just steal from her Myspace

"Spark Out wants to be a collective but is really just one girl. She writes songs about dead girls in ditches, mathematical sequences, and friends whose lives are more dramatic than hers. She likes the Oxford comma and hates to play the guitar, but doesn't have any other options; if she doesn't play it, no one else will."

you can download her demos from Last.fm.

Ghost Bees

Ghost Bees are an avant-garde Canadian group centred round 2 twin sisters, Romy and Sari Lightman. Following a tip-off from Agent Tidman I checked these out and instantly fell in love. They exist in the same universe as the likes of CocoRosie and Marissa Nadler but not within the same galaxy. Their blend of string lead dream-folk beguiles and enchants. Their debut EP, Tasseomancy, was released in 2008 and is something to treasure.

Hussle Club

Hussle Club is a side/solo project from HEARTSREVOLUTION's Prince Terrence. The New Yorker has also plied his trade with the likes of Spank Rock and Santigold. Its a heady mix of post-punk and jangles which will have you dancing around like a cat on a hot tin roof. Moving between the sound of a familiar 80s song and and a more electro beat, it certainly manages to grab your attention. Its all fairly hush hush at the moment but I'm guessing a major release is only around the corner.

Dinosaur Feathers

Dinosaur Feathers are another hotly tipped band from Brooklyn. Sounding like an over-enthusiastic version of The Dodos, they produce pop melodies to melt your heart. Their album, Fantasy Memorial, is out in March. They've very kindly made their 2009 EP, Early Morning Risers, available on their website for free

Warpaint

Warpaint are an all-female 3 piece band from LA who have managed to garner a fair bit of hype from Hollywood types. John Frusciante mixed their debut EP, Exquisite Corpse, which was released last year. Haunting and down tempo pop, their music is simultaneously relaxing and fascinating. They are working on their debut LP which will hopefully be set for a release in the near future.