Glancing around in both the printed press and online world, a number of folk are offering up their tips for 2008. Here's my 4 tips for 2008. Yes, there's only 4, but they're goodies.



1) Foals

Not much to really say about these guys, as you're bound to have heard of them. Still, of all the hotly tipped NME bands, I'm really looking forward to their debut album. There's not many indie bands that follow an afrobeat template to their song construction, yet Foals manage it and make it sound cool and relevant all at the same time. The new Radiohead? Don't curse them with that.

MP3 Foals - Balloons



2) Disco

Hmmm, Disco, it's had a grand old 2007. In fact, it's enjoyed a renaissance similar to what Electro did in 2005, y'know, before everyone decided it was the shit. So, if disco does start to crossover into mainstream thinking in 2008, who better to lead the way than DFA's Hercules and Love Affair? They've an album out in 2008, a single featuring Antony of "and the Johnsons" fame and have remixed Goldfrapps newie. Whatever you think of the genre, 2008 is going to very kind to them.

MP3 Hercules and Love Affair - Blind



3) 2 piece boy/girl bands

Watch out Jack and Meg, there's some new kids on yer turf. Brightonians Blood Red Shoes deserve to be fucking massive in 2008, simply because they play grungey scuzzed-out punk rock and I love grungey skuzzed-out punk rock. Their forthcoming debut album should be ace following their singles over the last couple of years. Manchesters very own Ting Tings WILL BE FUCKING HUGE IN 2008 BECAUSE EVERYONE LOVES THEM. I like them too.

MP3 Blood Red Shoes - Try harder

MP3 The Ting Tings - That's not my name



4) Music Blogs

If you think it's been hard keeping up to date with all the new music blogs that have sprung up in 2007, wait until 2008, there'll be so many new ones your head won't only just spin, but bump, grind and gyrate at the goodness being written about and ultimately given away. And for anyone thinking about starting a music blog - post sensibly kids.

MP3 The Hype Machine