The earlier singles have all been stellar, and the buzz has been steadily building for these Oxford-based rising stars through 2007, so we’re expecting Foals to break the surface big time in 2008. This is the first glimpse of what their Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio) produced debut album will sound like. An intricate and multi-layered slice of dance-punk, this is a very good sign indeed.

The earlier singles have all been stellar, and the buzz has been steadily building for these Oxford-based rising stars through 2007, so we’re expecting Foals to break the surface big time in 2008. This is the first glimpse of what their Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio) produced debut album will sound like. An intricate and multi-layered slice of dance-punk, this is a very good sign indeed.

We are now convinced that there is some magical Canadian fount from which their native musicians drink to ensure high quality output. Yet another lush and ethereal band emerges from Montreal, courtesy of the Toronto-based Arts & Crafts label, giving even more weight to our secret elixir theory. We’ve only got one question on our minds - do the Canucks know no bounds?

We are now convinced that there is some magical Canadian fount from which their native musicians drink to ensure high quality output. Yet another lush and ethereal band emerges from Montreal, courtesy of the Toronto-based Arts & Crafts label, giving even more weight to our secret elixir theory. We’ve only got one question on our minds - do the Canucks know no bounds?

The latest single from the acclaimed remixer and electropop producer extraordinaire has a wonderful percussive arrangement, drawling vocal and other thoughtfully random bits gelled together to create a track that sounds like N*E*R*D and Hot Chip being mashed through a weird-mill. Funky, bizarre and brilliant, we can’t wait will the new album descends on our desks.

The latest single from the acclaimed remixer and electropop producer extraordinaire has a wonderful percussive arrangement, drawling vocal and other thoughtfully random bits gelled together to create a track that sounds like N*E*R*D and Hot Chip being mashed through a weird-mill. Funky, bizarre and brilliant, we can’t wait will the new album descends on our desks.

LDN wideboy and dead sound geezer extraordinaire Jack sprung from the traps earlier this year with a bundle of musical gifts in debut offering ‘Matinee’. We sat him down for five minutes with a big steaming cup of questionnaire and sought answers to our reflective, end of 2007 mind boggler.

It’s been another mammoth year for the hard rocking Downpatrick four-piece. Sharing the stage with a host of your idols, selling a ton of records in Japan, playing festivals all over Europe – the list of achievements goes on. Frontman Cormac Neeson relives some of the prime moments…

‘Backlash Cop’ was without a doubt the comeback album of the year. It was also a straight up dose of rocking funk, killer hooks and endless invention. Sadly, there were no live shows to promote it but that just gives us something to look forward to in 2008. In the meantime, Jamie Burchell dishes the goss on his 2007.

Duke Special, aka Peter Wilson, has been having an amazing time lately. ‘Songs From The Deep Forest’, AU’s number one album of 2006, has continued its upward momentum and he’s enjoyed a series of sold out tours and special shows. Here he reveals some of the key moments in his year.

Everyone’s favourite Scottish indie veterans burst back onto the scene this year with a flurry of releases and activity in 2007 – a new album, a ‘best of’ compilation and a live DVD, not to mention a flipping great big tour. Here Roddy Woomble shines light on their welcome return to form.