And the first one, being the music lover I am, will be about the hottest new bands this year.

I’m going to warn you straight away that a lot of these bands have actually been around for years, but this year their profiles will expand greatly, in my opinion.

Please also note that these are in no particular order and rather that they are just my top 10.

#1) Atlas Sound. This is actually a solo act. Bradford Cox from Atlanta, Georgia, has a retro sound that is missing from the charts today. However, he isn’t a writer that doesn’t combine the retro feel with modern day beats to appeal to a modern day audience. His sound, alongside a very 70s style, combines the high pitched, artificially crafted whistles of classic bands such as The Carpenters, and mixes it up a little bit with just a touch of classic indie seen in The Maccabees and the Arctic Monkeys. Also check out Cox’s other band ‘Deerhunter’. Listen to: Walkabout.

#2) Bombay Bicycle Club. The first British band on my list, Bombay Bicycle Club are a bunch of Londoners who are hotly tipped for success in 2010. After recently gigging with The Maccabees, The Big Pink and The Drums, these boys have already gained experience with some of the best indie acts of 2010. For a band who only finished school in 2008, Jack, Jamie, Ed and Suren are pretty amazing and a huge leap above all other bands their age. Indie at its best, with a touch of modernisation. Listen to: What If.

#3) Mumford & Sons. It’s quite likely that you’ve already heard of this band. Their single ‘The Cave’ has already hit the iTunes top 100 and another of their tracks ‘Winter Winds’ is regularly played on British national radio station Radio 1. This simply proves that they are destined for greatness this year. It’s obvious from the picture on the right that this quartet have also brought ‘Grandad fashion’ back into the sexy stakes. And that banjo? I approve. Listen to: White Blank Page.

#4) The XX. Another set of Londers to add to the list, The XX have only released one album and quite recently too. In August 2009, their first album XX was set to download and the band have also remixed a variety of other songs, including Florence and the Machine’s ‘You’ve Got the Love.’ They also add a touch of originality in the fact that they have both a male and a female lead singer. Listen to: Crystalised.

#5) Best Coast. This 3-piece includes the first solo female lead on our list. (The XX also have a female member, but a male also provides lead vocals, as stated before.) Bethany Cosentino sounds a lot like a young girl when she sings, but the band take an old idea and transform it into their own sound. Think Blondie, with a new age twist. One of their tracks was also used as the backing track to one of the Skins promo adverts on E4 and Channel 4, so they’re obviously a band to watch. Listen to: When I’m With You.

#6) Local Natives. When I first heard this band, I immediately thought of Fleet Foxes. However, this group seem to have a much more light-hearted feel to their music. Although their lyrics are pretty deep, the strategically used keyboard gives the sound a music lighter sound which is contrasted immensely by a hefty bass drum beat. They have also been compared favourably with Vampire Weekend and Arcade Fire – a comparison that any indie group should be pleased with. Listen to: Airplanes.

#7) Ellie Goulding. The Wiggle are obviously good friends with Miss Goulding – we have already given her  rave reviews twice. Perhaps the most hotly tipped out of all acts, Ellie brings back ‘folktronica’, with a set of catchy lyrics and some of the best indie/pop music since Ladyhawke. Out this week was Goulding’s debut album ‘Lights’, which provides a set of amazingly good songs that are great for both partying and just chilling by yourself. Listen to: Fighter Plane.

#8) Alex Metric. This act is the only one with a predominantly dance-based background. Metric is often seen in and around Bristol and also has a show on the UK’s Radio 1. He’s also been known to remix a good few tracks – anything from Bloc Party to the Gorillaz. Perfect for a house party, Alex insists that his album is on its way. Listen to: Head Straight.

#9) Marina & the Diamonds. If you’ve not heard of Marina and you’re not one of her Diamonds: WHERE THE HECK HAVE YOU BEEN? You must have been hiding under a rock if you’ve not heard all the hype surrounding this lady. She’s already played at the NME awards and she’s becoming almost as hyped as Ellie Goulding (above). Another songstress with a unique voice, Marina is definitely the perfect indie cindy with some interesting and original tracks. Listen to: Obsessions.

#10) 6 Day Riot. Formed in 2005, 6 Day Riot provide a bunch of girly pop with a unique twist. They actually sound a little bit like a tame version of Robots in Disguise, with a lot more ukulele and the odd trumpet thrown in there for colour. Perfect for when you’re simply getting ready to go out or even for a bit of light-listening while you’re sat on the train. Listen to: Sky Father.

You can’t get any newer than this: out today is new folktronic popstrel Ellie Goulding’s debut studio album.

And here we are, reviewing it on the Wiggle. It was just last week that she was awarded the Critic’s Choice Award at the BRITs, proving that she is supposedly one of the best upcoming stars for 2010.

You may remember dear old Sopho reviewing her a while back, so I thought I’d let you know our opinion on her newest release ‘Lights’.

Track #1: Guns and Horses – The first track and it already showcases the unique vocal ability of Goulding. The drum beat in the background makes this track a good one to dance to as well.

Track #2: Starry Eyed – Currently number 4 in the UK single charts, (correct 1st May 2010) Starry Eyed is the perfect definition of ‘folktronica’. It has an earthy feel to its synthesized beats and is easily liable to get stuck in your head.

Track #3: This Love (Will Be Your Downfall) – The slowest of the first three tracks… to begin with. Then we’re faced with one of Ellie’s poppy drum beats in the background that are sure to become one of her trademarks.

Track #4: Under The Sheets – I’ve listened to this song on repeat (it was previously released on EP) and I never get tired of it. The lyrics really are catchy and as soon as you hear the song, you can’t help but sing along.

Track #5: The Writer – Radio 1 acclaimed this track upon their preview of the album and it is easy to see why. It’s less electro than the other songs and more acoustic. However, it is really beautiful and enables Ellie’s voice to stand out even more.

Track #6: Every Time You Go – One of the less catchy tracks, which is probably a good thing because imagine having a whole album stuck in your head! Still fun to listen to.

Track #7: Wish I Stayed – One of the hidden gems in this album. Featuring Frankmusik, Ellie gives us some inspirational lyrics accompanied by an entertaining song.

Track #8: Your Biggest Mistake – Starting acoustically with her guitar, Ellie begins this track stripped bare. As it progresses, it turns into a synthesized masterpiece. There is so much to listen out for by the end of it all.

Track #9: I’ll Hold My Breath – A very pop-orientated song here. Especially the chorus – it sounds almost as if Girls Aloud wrote it. But a more musically aware Girls Aloud, of course.

Track #10: Salt Skin – Unlike other songs on the album, Salt Skin starts off chaotically (in a good way) and goes up and down in terms of tempo throughout. This makes for a very interesting track indeed.

Track #11: Lights – The title track sounds quite a lot different to the other tracks in that Goulding shows off her long notes. But again, her signature drum beat is in tact as always.

In summary, this album is nothing short of a fine piece of art. It is a revelation for folk and electronica and is one of the only album’s I’ve been excited to review. Well worth it. Go to iTunes and download as soon as you can.

Overall Rating: (And a very well deserved 5 stars at that!)

Then go look up Ellie Goulding, one of the best females to hit music for a fair old time.

With her electronic-folk style, this lady really has a voice which makes you stop and take notice.

In fact, saying that she’d already been named BBC’s Sound of 2010, as well as winning the Crtitic’s Choice Award at the BRITs.

I know, I know, I wish I was her too.

Having worked with Frankmusik,  Starsmith and even the long forgotten Diana Vickers, she’s set to really make a name for herself in the up and coming year.
As she definitely deserves.
Oh, and did I mention she supported Little Boots last year?

Her Second single “Starry Eyed” will be released on the 22nd February, followed by he first album, “Light” on the 1st March.

To be honest, I think all I can really say is that her music speaks for itself and I can’t quite tell you how good she is.

Go and listen.