Futuro combine traditional pop-rock guitar riffs with short, spiky production, rich, creamy-smooth vocals and the short punchy song writing style of frontman Jon McKellan to create a cool, cutting-edge sound. They are one band you just won’t be able to do without. Futuro’s indescribable sound is something you must experience for yourself. They have their first EP available for download on their own website.

3. The Ruse

When I first reviewed their CD Light In Motion I was completely blown away. Even more so when I learned they had recorded it on a laptop in Jason Young’s (drummer) closet, “With clothes on the floor and everything” according to frontman John Dauer. Light In Motion is a breathless, impassioned, honest album with all the qualities that invoke feelings of being mellow and lustful, sultry and comfy.

The Ruse have a melodic, soothing, cultivated sound with influences from U2, Coldplay and Travis. Dauer’s vocals are like a good dram of whisky, smooth, mellow and rich with a definite Celtic flavour. And he has amazing range and control with the enviable ability to be hauntingly emotive. You really have to give them a listen to understand why I think they are future rock gods.

2. Locksley

Locksley’s sound is similar to The Beatles pre-Rubber Soul, mixed with the Kinks, a bit of The Beach Boys and plenty of the youthful enthusiasm of punk. Fantastic, energetic harmonies and melodies that harkens back to the early '60s but mixed with garage rock guitars, and modern spiky production, creating a sound that is completely addictive. They have all the style, substance and savoir faire of a British rock band, the dynamic magnetism, and brutally hot men of an American rock band mixed with the bygone art of timeless song writing from the era of Rogers and Hammerstein or Gershwin. Locksley manage to encompass all these things and sound fresh and original.

And now with their debut album Don’t Make Me Wait — released on January 16th and available for pre-order — Locksley are ready to take on the whole world. And this is certainly the album to do it. Overall, Don’t Make Me Wait is magnificent retro-garage-punk-pop made by four guys you would like to have a pint with. I recommend it wholeheartedly.