HE IS
Former frontman of Madrugada, arguably the most successful Norwegian rock band the past ten years.
SOUNDS LIKE
Nick Cave's sensible younger brother, grown up on the American prairie.
RELEASE
Moon Landing (album) Sep 28

THEY ARE
The new project of Bernard Sumner and Phil Cunningham from disbanded legends New Order. New Order-drummer Stephen Morris is also contributing, as is Blur-bassist Alex James.
SOUNDS LIKE
the last few New Order-albums, without the electronics and Peter Hook-basslines. The song is decent enough, though, allthough it's worringly reminiscent of Mel C/Bryan Adams duet When You're Gone played on a 12-string.
RELEASE
Sink or Swim (single) Sep 28
Never Cry Another Tear Oct 12

THEY ARE
Alt.rock spearheads from Seattle.
SOUNDS LIKE
They've applied the dark, sinister groove from I Will Possess Your Heart to one of their strongest tunes up until now. Should suit the vampire vibe excellently.
RELEASE
New Moon (soundtrack) Oct 20
TRIVIA
The fang flick soundtrack also features non-album tracks from The Killers, BRMC, Editors and Thom Yorke.

THEY ARE
Digable Danish duo specialicing in film noir aesthetics and twangy retro sounds. You'd imagine Quentin Tarantino having them on fast dial, really.
SOUNDS LIKE
the best songs off their own Pretty in Black, where dirty guitar meets sugary girl group melodies and is sprinkled with shoegaze noise to melt into something best described as "surf twee".
RELEASE
In and Out of Control Oct 06

HE IS
Whispery-voiced songwriter from Toronto.
SOUNDS LIKE
The Pernice Brothers in their most angelic moments, or something off previous touring partner Josh Rouse's Nashville. And then there's Elliott Smith, of course.
RELEASE
How to Fall Down in Public Feb 24 (CAN), Sep 15 (RoW)
TRIVIA
The video to this beautiful album track is highly unofficial, as Howie himself had no idea it was being made.

THEY ARE
Norwegian pop sensation that popped out from outta nowhere in colourful attire and went on to top the Norwegian charts for an impressive 12 weeks with their debut single Ambitions, which only recently was tipped from the top by their own follow-up single.
SOUNDS LIKE
Like Danish popsters Alphabeat, they resemble quite a few guilty pleasures from the merry eighties. Like Boy Meets Girl's Waiting for a Star to Fall.
RELEASE
Sometimes (digital single) Sep 12  
Caught in a Life Oct 18
TRIVIA
They are supporting a-ha on their UK dates in November.

THEY ARE
Indie quartet from Canterbury, Kent with a bandname that make them virtually un-searchable on all music services.
SOUNDS LIKE
a slightly more uplifting take of the anthemic gloom of Editors, The Cinematics and (inevitably) The Departure.
RELEASE
Departure EP Sep 07
The Shapes We Fear Are Our Own TBD

THEY ARE
Oasis-approved Swedish/English five-piece that looks like The Black Crowes did in 1992.
SOUNDS LIKE
Band of Horses setting (a few more) words to Pink Floyd's One of These Days - or Kings of Leon if they were any good and had a vocalist that didn't sound like Anastacia.
RELEASE
Broken Side of Time Sep 21

UPDATED NOV 30: NOW WITH VIDEO!
HE IS
Constantly heartbroken Sheffield crooner with a past in 90's britpop bands Longpigs and Pulp.
SOUNDS LIKE
His own The Ocean, actually. Doesn't matter, it's beautiful all the same.
RELEASE
Truelove's Gutter Sep 21
TRIVIA
Like all his previous album titles, this also refers to an old Sheffield street or landmark.

THEY ARE
LA noise-poppers who appearantly enjoy a good old game of musical chairs.
SOUNDS LIKE
Angsty lyrics? Slightly whiny vocals? Big Muff pedal? Melancholy and (infinite) sadness? OK, the Smashing Pumpkins references might not be too far off, then.
RELEASE
Swoon Apr 14
CLEVER MOMENT
The angsty desperation after the bridge at 3:25-3:35.

THEY ARE
Birmingham quartet forever imprisoned by Joy Division and/or Interpol comparisons.
SOUNDS LIKE
They're trying to escape by replacing guitars with Soft Cell/Eurythmics synths.
RELEASE
In This Light and on This Evening Oct 10
TRIVIA
The song takes its name from Henri Charrière's memoirs from doing time (and finally escaping) for a murder he didn't commit.