Best New Music Acts of 2008

They were making sweet music in the Year of the Rat.

In many ways, 2008 was the year of the comeback. Britney, the Verve, Coldplay. But you can't have a comeback until you have a newfront - or something like that. Here's our favorite of the shiny new things in music this year.

Biggest Surprises
MGMT: We didn't think the ‘60s had anything left to offer. Turns out we were wrong...at least where MGMT is concerned. We enjoyed every moment of the Oracular Spectacular electro-pop acid trip.
She & Him: She's darling, but could Zooey Deschanel sing? Turns out She is the perfect complement to Him. M. Ward's impressive musicality and Zooey's clever songwriting combined to make Volume One a festive flight of fancy.

Biggest Shouters
Ting Tings: Shut up and let me get this song out of my head. The Ting Tings started something with their beat-driven, highly infectious debut CD We Started Nothing.
Yelle: We were also happy to be yelled at this year by Yelle. Who doesn't want to do the Robot to ‘80s inspired songs filled with French lyrics they don't understand?

Most Solitary
Bon Iver: C'mon, Skinny Love. Big money. Big money. We're not sure what a random Wheel of Fortune reference has to do with Bon Iver except for the fact that both are best enjoyed at home, alone, with a glass of Chablis. For Emma, Forever Ago was perfect for us, right now.

Fastest Ascent
Lykke Li: This talented Swedish songstress is little like a glass of Alka Seltzer: effervescent, refreshing, simple yet sophisticated. Youth Novels made us proud of the Y'ers.
Santogold: So, yes, there was a bit of an over-saturation effect with all the commercials and CW soundtrack-ness, but her new-wave/pop/reggae amalgam is pure gold.

Best Beats
Black Kids: If you're looking for anthemic, toe-tapping indie-rock, Partie Traumatic is your event. These Jacksonville kiddies are a swinging good time.
Common Market: These two Seattle hip-hoppers manage to sound heavy and light, smooth and powerful at the same time. The lyrics on Tobacco Road are thoughtful, the tracks altogether (un)common.