Who to look out for in 2011 - The Iddy list.

I must have read a dozen 'Big Things of 2011' lists, where everyone from newcomers and old heads alike are featured. I've compiled a list without the NME Beady Eye and Strokes bias and "Hipinions" across the internet for a nice, varied list. I'll try and keep it simple...

Radiohead

There's been a few whispers and words from the band themselves, but so far nothing concrete has popped up since These Are My Twisted words. They've played a few new songs already, including Give Up The Ghost, Lotus Flower, Present Tense, and probably a lot more that we don't know about. With no idea how this is going to sound like - whether it'll be Ambient Techno, or Stadium Rock (God forbid) - this is one of the releases to look forward to most in 2011.

Jay Z & Kanye West

After the brilliant My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy from Kanye last year, there's high anticipation for his collaboration with Jay Z, who's been responsible for some of the best Hip-Hop in the last decade; this will either be a triumph or a huge disappointment. I'm hoping for the former, because I like these two a lot. Time will tell I guess!

Lady Gaga

Yes - she's back. Bigger than ever apparently, because in her words, her 2nd album Born This Way is "The best record of the decade". Bold words, and now with that added pressure, can she deliver? However good it'll be, I can guarantee that she wont leave our TV screens and airwaves for the remaining year. Gaga haters, prepare to hide under a rock. Gaga fans, it's going to be an exciting few months before the release of Born This Way. The self-titled single is coming out mid-February.

Zola Jesus

After last year's excellent extended EP, Stridulum II, she should be back this year with a brand new shiny album. I'm getting quite excited myself and I have high hopes.

Portishead

Thankfully we wont see an eleven-year gap between Third and the fourth album; the upcoming album is scheduled for release this year, and after the Twit-rant by Geoff Barrow, us fans wait with anticipation as to what's to come. All three albums in my opinion are fantastic, and I'm hoping for the same in their next release.
Fleet Foxes

After a tense wait in 2010; nothing surfaced. So it was with much relief when Robin Pecknold wrote on the Ateaseweb forum that the new album is in its mastering stage, and even joked that it would "leak sooner rather than later". Watch this space...

Jamie Woon

I would put down James Blake, but mostly everyone's heard of him (his album leaked a few weeks ago too) so I've put the spotlight on the other "Post-Dubstep" artist. In The Night Air was released late last year to positive response, and with a new album out this year promising more moody music, Woon might possibly overtake Blake in the popularity stakes. Somehow, I can't see The Wilhelm Scream being played on daytime radio with Fearne Cotton screaming "choon!" in the background.

Justice

It's been so quiet in the direction of the French duo's music news that I'm starting to wonder if this will ever be released. I'm hoping it will though, but as I've heard nothing so far, we'll put this under the 'maybe' pile. If it's anywhere near as good as their debut, I'll be happy.
Another band that's been relatively quiet is...

Battles

...but information is starting to creep out. There's a lot going on in there apparently; "music to dance to, music for big cinematic epics, creepy music" etc. and a lot more to it. More Battles is always welcome, as it's been nearly four long years since Mirrored.

Bjork and the "Next Bjork"

"It will be announced in the next few months", let's hope that this is the case. Volta wasn't the best, but it wasn't the death of music of Iceland's most famous daughter. She had a pretty full year in 2010; duetting with Olof Arnalds and Dirty Projectors, so to finally hear LP7 this year would be a welcome return. Expect a more focused sound, with more electronics than you can shake a stick at.
So who's this "Next Bjork"? A certain duo called Oh Land; "With an opera singer for a mother, a theater organist for a father and Björk’s Homogenic on constant rotation, Oh Land was enraptured by the combination of experimental and classical arts. " - sounds great! Definitely someone to look out for this year, and with a year full of young new female singers (Jessie J, Katy B, Anna Calvi, Claire McGuire) and the return of experienced seniors (Florence and The Machine, Gaga, Annie) 2011 looks like the year of the females!