The New School

Last year belonged to Simphiwe Dana, The Parlotones and Just Jinjer, among less notable others. If you still don't know who these people are, you either spent 2007 alone in your flat with the lights off, or you have no ears. But a new year will bring new bands their time in the sun. The only question is how do you work it out early enough to sound cool at parties? By listening to us, of course. Here are three bands we think you should start talking about, and soon.

Kid of Doom

What, no voices? With today's market less and less interested in music they can't rub up against each other to, it is heartening to note that some bands still don't seem to give a toss about appealing to some or other demographic. More heartening still is that Kidofdoom, an electronic/rock instrumental outfit from Pretoria, are beginning to sound less 'interesting' and more genuinely brilliant of late. 2008 is unlikely to be doom and gloom for this lot.

www.myspace.com/kidofdoom

Lira

She's bigger right now in Italy than at home, strangely, but this milk-and-honey voiced R&B goddess has everything she needs to become the next Simphiew Dana. She's not as pained, not as profound as Dana, but her playful charm and easy, summery songs will doubtlessly win her a huge audience sooner rather than later. It also helps that she's devastatingly attractive.

www.misslira.co.za

Van Coke Cartel

Francois Van Coke made his name as the lead singer of Afrikaans punk rock band Fokofpolisiekar. After three albums, taking 'Fokof' bassist Wynand Myburgh, he's gone (sort-of) solo to form the Van Coke Cartel. The last time Van Coke took his foot off the angst pedal it gave rise to the best Fokof EP of them all, Monoloog in Stereo. If we are in for more of the same, get excited.

www.myspace.com/vancokecartel