2010 has been one hell of a year for new music! Just like 2009 was, eh? As the nights get longer and shoppers start gearing up for the festive season, Vice takes a look back at the breakthrough success stories of the last 12 months—who could have seen this coming way back in January?

DAISY DARES YOU


It’s been quite a year for Daisy, England’s coolest teen star. Her debut single “Number One Enemy” (featuring UK urban artist Chipmunk) crashed the Top 20 in February, and she followed-up that early success with a series of intimate live shows that saw audiences go wild for her refreshing pop-punk stylings. Currently away from the limelight working on brand new material, this antidote to all the Gaga clones is sure to take 2011 by storm with her new, synth-based direction.

HURTS

It’s been quite a year for Manchester’s Hurts, Britain’s most stylish new band. Along with their refreshing sharp suits, their breathtaking debut album Happiness (featuring a duet with Antipodean pop princess Kylie Minogue) delivered a clutch of instant synthpop classics. Currently gearing up for a winter tour with Scissor Sisters that will surely see their crystalline anthems lapped up by larger audiences, Hurts are sure to take 2011 by storm.

DELPHIC

It’s been quite a year for Delphic. The Manchester trio’s crystalline meld of indie and dance was lauded by critics, and with acclaimed debut album Acolyte (produced by production legend Ewan Pearson) they emerged as arguably one of the most forward-thinking and exciting acts in Britain today. The perfect antidote to Mumfords Mania, Delphic are sure to take 2011 by storm with their new, techno-influenced direction.

MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS

It’s been quite a year for Marina Diamandis. England’s most glamorous new pop star was everywhere in 2010, and her refreshing theatrical style was lapped up by critics and fans alike. Delivering gloriously unabashed helpings of perfect glam-pop, Marina’s new material (produced with US indie super producer Dave Sitek) will surely take 2011 by storm.

ELLIE GOULDING

It’s been quite a year for Ellie Goulding. Her refreshingly unpretentious style united pop fans and indie kids alike, and now she’s looking to take her unabashed helpings of perfect futro-pop to a new audience, duetting with UK urban artist Tinie Tempah on a track from his much-anticipated new album Disc-Overy. Her success in 2010 (produced in collaboration with the BBC) surely sets her up to take 2011 by storm.

THE DRUMS

It’s been quite a year for The Drums. The success New York’s most vital new band have enjoyed (including a brace of NME covers and one Top 100 single) has been tempered by the shock departure of guitarist and founding member Adam Kessler. Unabashed, the remaining trio made the valiant decision to take their unabashed helpings of perfectly bashful indie-pop to a wider audience in 2011, a year they will surely take by storm.

Repeat ad nauseum.

BONGO STASH