Lopez Blogs

Grab your snuggie, get a mars bar and a beverage and get comfortable because this is going to be a fairly lengthy list of artists I shall be monitoring very closely throughout 2011. Some of them will already be familiar to you as I've written about them extensively already, while some will be brand new to you. All of them have something magical to offer in 2011 that makes me very excited for a new musical year. This is all in no particular order of amazingness because they all are quite sparkling and special :)

YOUR BRIGHTEST HOPES FOR POP FOR 2011...

• Claire Maguire ~ She's already a shoe in to win the BBC Sound of 2011 poll. She's from my home town of Birmingham so I feel abit of an affinity with her. Essentially, her stunning vocal style has been beautifully wrapped in a musical production that is powerfully emotive without actually being overpowering. Her debut single Ain't Nobody adds sumptuous violin and evocative guitar into a thunderous soundscape that thrills from start to finish. Her new single Last Dance is out in late February and sounds equally as delicious. Truly startlingly good.

• Xylos ~ I'm unforgiveably behind on this effortlessly charming group, but better late than never I say... The group weave together a beautifully intricate sound that is deliciously light and airy pop music matched with clever lyrics, vocal innovations and a driving beat to keep it all on track. The male/female vocal playoff on their heavenly single Not Enough is an absolute delight to behold, and with some vocal chiming to give it some quirk, it's a track you'll have on repeat until their debut album is released on Valentines Day. Magic.

• Vogue Collective ~ Not much is known about Vogue Collective other than they are quite enthusiastic on twitter and that their song Tarantula (which soundtracks the video above) has been stuck in my head for days. Basically you can't beat a song that has a fun beat, some whoo whoos and a chorus to die for. And their vocals are spot on and blend together nicely. For further evidence, check out their rehearsal footage of Rule The World. Saturdays, watch your backs...

• Escort Knights ~ Sometimes my pop world needs a little edge and four piece Escort Knights provide some much needed indie cool to my playlist. They have this really contaigious energy about their music which is filled with blinding choruses, fuzzy guitars, shuffling beats and witty, wry lyrics. Their very excellent single I Don't Know Your Name showcases all of these fine traits, while Summer Is Coming shows they are not afraid to show a different side to their music, adding an addictive bosa nova beat, a bit of romantic sax and a more laid back acoustic vibe. This is all lining up to be something very special indeed.

• Ed Drewett ~ Ah Ed. Cheeky charm. Snazzy dresser. Goodlooking fella. Was responsible for two great moments in 2010 (co-wrote All Time Low by The Wanted & featured on Prof Green's Need You Tonight). Now everything is aligning for solo success. Champagne Lemonade was a mere pre-success tipple as his album sampler shows a knack for catchy tunes, current production values yet an old time tip to the hat to strong melodies and brillo chorus. Particularly on Parallels and Vital Signs. And if you are not utterly smitten after watching the clip above, then you need to check your pulse!

• Graffiti6 ~ This talented duo are an act I kept an eye on throughout most of 2010 but didn't spend nearly enough time with. I'm chagrinned and aim to change that in 2011. They have produced some tremendous tunes that are breezy, sunshine, soulful ditties that match Jamie's wondeful vocal with TommyD's knack for making each tune sound like ice cream on a summers day. Stop Mary (above) is an absolute gem of a tune and you should all be eagerly anticipating their debut album. They make everything so effortlessly wonderful.

• DeeDeeLovesMe ~ one of the things that annoyed me about the constant claims about Cher X Factor Lloyd being the most innovative thing in the UK ever since 3D tv was that there were perfectly brilliant artists like DeeDee already out there. DeeDee's debut EP "The Lowdown" is filled with cutting edge, cabaret tinged pop with an absolute bite that come across as very miss kitty with claws. Take the track above - hammond organ, handclaps and a shuffling beat all add up to a very catchy pop tune, yet there is arsenic in the lyrics. Plus the deliciously malevolent middle 8 on Balls will make your grandma blush. Much more please in 2011...

• Tove Styrke ~ In Sweden, not winning X Factor or Idol isn't a hindrance. So in love with pop music are they that they take 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 10th place finalists and give them a career. And that's normally because they come out with music that far surpasses British and American champs. Tove is the latest - her debut album is filled with icy pop gems that ingratiate themselves into your ears and brain on first listen and refuse to let go. Her voice is stunning, the tunes are marvelous. World domination is a must.

• BoyBanned ~ The group has altered slightly and definitely evolved over the past few months and are ready to launch themselves onto an unsuspecting public with their debut single Street Lights. Evocative of classic boyband moments from years gone by, it's a sparkling ballad with a silky smooth layered vocal and some lovely guitar-piano riff. What also works well about the song is you can totally imagine it as a balls to the wall dance mix, with the guys leaping up from their stools and launching into a dance routine. And you know how I love a good boyband. Familiar yet enticing all at the same time - both band and song :)

• The Ultra Girls ~ I totally want the Ultra Girls to do a superhero theme for one of their videos. Perhaps they could rescue me from the clutches of some evil (but suitably good looking) villain called Sir Spanxalot?! I love that the name of the group already gives them a fun personality that is matched by their onstage presence and choice of songs (Girls Will Be Girls is a spicy jam and trouble with a capital T)! Plus they can tone it down for some dreamy smooching music as their take on The Wanted shows above. I'm excited to follow them this coming year!

• Nick Hagelin ~ Oh how I adore it when some quality boy pop heads my way. Let's go thru the ingredients for a nice slice of boy pop pie. Ability to sing - yup, Nick has a voice that bypasses the need for vocoder and autotune, and therefore sounds surprisingly fresh. Catchy tune - yes! ICU is a insistent, pulsating dance track with pop overtones that sparkles from start to finish. Dedication to pop ~ yessirreebob! His ethos seems built around huge melodies, danceable beats and music that makes you feel good. Now that I can totally get on board with. Plus he has cheekbones to die for.

Acts I've written about lots before and have nothing but huge pop wishes for in 2011...

• Elouise ~ check out her stunning performance of No More Tears (Enough is Enough) here...
• Simon Curtis ~ his 8 Bit Heart bought him to an adoring internet public in 2010. Parlaying that into a record buying public is his next mission, should he choose to accept it...
• Kyle Brylin ~ ready to release his dancefloor epic Committed complete with a video in January, while you are waiting check out some lovely acoustic Kyle here...
• Dirty Disco ~ This visually arresting, musically stunning group established their signature sound and a solid fan base in 2010. Expect to hear much much more from them in 2011 as they forge forward with an electrifying assault on the pop world. Check them out on Larry Flick's Morning Jolt tomorrow with some live studio sessions. I'll be reviewing shortly!

Coming soon ~ an interview with my brightest pop hope for 2011 (tomorrow), then sometime over the weekend reviewing 2 scintillating albums that are FREE DOWNLOADS from Ro Danishei & Andrea Lewis...