New acts on the block - the ones to watch

Marcus O'Dair, host of Independent Music Radio, introduces five of the best new acts

Ball control: Aussie ping-pong lovers Operator Please

LOS CAMPESINOS!

Although they call themselves “the second most punk rock band in Britain”, the epithet is presumably tongue-in cheek.

This preppy Welsh septet owe their internet-fuelled explosion less to a penchant for putting safety pins in unexpected places than an uncanny knack for irrepressibly joyous indiepop, and debut album Hold On Now, Youngster … is a definite contender for soundtrack to the summer. Taken, for no particular reason, from the Spanish term for “peasants”, the name may not be the catchiest ever conceived, but it’s more than compensated for by the tunes – as bouncy and infectious as a Space Hopper with smallpox.

Their debut album, Hold On Now, Youngster… is out now on Wichita

The band play at the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in May

CADENCE WEAPON

Mr R Pemberton might not sound like a gentleman one would call on to single-handedly rescue hip-hop from its current malaise – but, under his nom de mic, Cadence Weapon, he is being tipped to do exactly that. The precociously talented Canadian MC and producer has already played alongside De La Soul and Jurassic 5; his forthcoming second album, Afterparty Babies, could set him on the way to joining that exalted company on a more permanent basis. And his musical intelligence and verbal dexterity have already won him guest spots with Hot Chip and Klaxons.

The album Afterparty Babies is out now on Big Dada

LYKKE LI

If the bloggers are to be believed, this breakthrough Swedish vocalist will soon replicate the success of Robyn, last year’s breakthrough Swedish vocalist, meeting the need for decent, credible electro pop now that Madonna’s given up trying. But the jury is still out, Li’s voice and the relentlessly cute production are a love-it-or-hate-it thing. Fans, however, point to the fact that Bjorn Yttling, one third of Peter, Bjorn and John, is on production duties, and predict ubiquity for debut single “Little Bit”.

The single ‘Little Bit’ is out now on the Moshi Moshi singles club

OPERATOR PLEASE

Originally formed for a battle of the bands competition, this much hyped Australian five-piece make music that might kindly be described as unpretentious. But if you’re after exuberant party tunes along the lines of Be Your Own Pet or Yeah Yeah Yeahs, then look no further – in “Just A Song About Ping Pong”, they’ve crafted a song as infuriatingly infectious as any ever written about a table-based ball game involving two players armed with rubber-coated paddles. Current single, “ Get What You Want” is an equally propulsive slice of noisy, knowing pop punk. And they’re still barely out of short trousers.

The single ‘ Get What You Want ’ is out now on Brille; the album Yes Yes Vindictive is out on 17 March

PETE AND THE PIRATES

Stolen Records are fast making a name for themselves in skinny-jean clad circles, and this Reading quintet is their flagship act. Peddling chipper, charming singalong guitar tunes, they nudge their way in front of the Topshop indie masses by virtue of an ear for strong, simple melodies and a gift for hooks. Their doubling up of both lead vocals and guitar lines helps mark them out too, as effectively showcased on new album, Little Death.

The album Little Death is out now on Stolen Records.