I KNOW I HAD A MESSAGE AT THE START.

We've been hearing insane amounts of buzz out of the UK about Dry The River, so the fact that we failed to investigate for ourselves until this week is really not something we're proud of. Because fuck, these guys are GREAT. Sounding like the logical heirs to the Mumfords' arena-folk throne, their tracks bring to mind the perfect nexus of the Mumford & Sons and Arcade Fire at their most anthemic, and - if reports are to be believed - they've actually got the live show to back up such comparisons. Their debut offering comes in the form of "New Ceremony", which more than anything reminds us of what we've heard thus far off Mumford's second album, with a hint of more pop-based fare like Wolf Gang and Sam's Town-era Killers thrown in for good measure. Expect big things.

MP3: "New Ceremony" - Dry The River

ALL I NEEDED TO FEEL.

We don't know too much about Essex's The Milk, just that they flawlessly combine the energy and kitsch of The Commitments, the swagger of Plan B and the infectious throwback soul of SugaRush Beat Company, and that we're very down with their new single "(All I Wanted Was) Danger". Vocalist Ricky Nunn comes off like a bizzaro world Tom Jones channeling Paloma Faith, and while they certainly have their influences down pat - paying homage to the greats from Stax and Trojan Records - they manage to find a way to make the sound their own. With the runaway success of Plan B and Cee Lo last year and Adele looking set to dominate the charts all year long in 2011, the UK looks to be on the cusp of a soulful pop renaissance (that said... it always kind of is, isn't it?), and it will be interesting to see whether or not The Milk spill over into the mainstream in the months to come.

MP3: "(All I Wanted Was) Danger" - The Milk

And yes, we regret that pun. We regret it a lot.

BREAKING MY BODY.

Icona Pop just might be our favorite new band. Like the perfect combination of Passion Pit and Robyn, the Swedish duo of Caroline Hjelt and Aino Neheh Jawo have been owning our hearts and minds since first gracing our radar last summer. Making their debut on the most recent Kitsune compilation with the INCREDIBLE "Manners" - honestly one of our absolute favorite songs of the past few years - they're back with a second helping of their charming Swedish pop in the form of "Still Don't Know", an effervescent joyride of buoyant percussion and off the wall synths. It doesn't quite top "Manners" (see above) - although let's be real, that's a tall order - but between this and a few other tracks the band have passed our way, we're extremely excited to be working with these girls in 2011. Watch this space...

MP3: "Still Don't Know" - Icona Pop