FREE ALBUM: 10 Artists to Watch in 2010
SPIN Lists
While we revel in our memories of a glorious 2009, we can't contain our excitement for 2010. These 10 artists are set to make big noise in the year to come -- and we've compiled a song from each into an exclusive FREE album!
Simply click the "Get It Now" button below and enter your email address, then check your email for a message from SPIN Media (please be patient -- it may take several minutes.) It'll have instructions for downloading your free album. If you don't see the "Get It Now" button, try refreshing this page.
For the scoop on each of the 10 to Watch in 2010, read on!
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FREE ENERGY- "Dream City"
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Hometown: Philadelphia
The Skinny: Produced by LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy (and released by his label, DFA, in conjunction with Astralwerks), Free Energy is as replete with cowbells, Thin Lizzy riffs, and soaring choruses as it is devoid of ironic winks.
BUY:
iTunes |
Amazon
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THE SOFT PACK- "Answer to Yourself"
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Hometown: San Diego
The Skinny: If "garage rock" connotes beer-soaked simplicity (or beer-soaked simpletons), then the Soft Pack -- known as the Muslims when their jagged, catchy single "Extinction" pricked up ears last year -- may reclaim the term for smart kids.
BUY:
iTunes |
Amazon
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REVOCATION- "ReaniManiac"
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Hometown: Boston
The Skinny: The band's furious second album is an imposing slab that bridges the gap between Slayer-style thrash and Pantera's vicious bounce. The simultaneously brawny and brainy sound has led to burgeoning guitar-hero status for David Davidson.
BUY:
iTunes |
Amazon
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OWEN PALLETT (aka FINAL FANTASY)- "Lewis Takes Action"
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Hometown: Toronto
The Skinny: Heartland, the new album from rail-thin singer and multi-instrumentalist Owen Pallett (who's arranged music for Pet Shop Boys and Grizzly Bear -- and just dropped his Final Fantasy moniker), is an expert melding of gossamer pop and explosive symphonic maneuvers.
BUY:
Amazon
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FOXY SHAZAM- "Bye Bye Symphony"
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Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
The Skinny: On the sextet's self-titled major-label debut, power ballad "Bye Bye Symphony" kicks like a mule and glitters like a diamond. Bonus: Frontman Eric Nally is teaming with the Darkness' Justin Hawkins to write new songs for Meat Loaf!
BUY:
iTunes |
Amazon
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NNEKA- "Uncomfortable Truth"
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Hometown: Warri, Nigeria
The Skinny: Concrete Jungle, Nneka's debut Stateside release, would sound like a starmaker in any language. Spurred on by poignant piano and crisp drum breaks, Nneka's voice (think a less spacey Erykah Badu) alternates between righteously bold and heartbreakingly fragile.
BUY:
iTunes |
Amazon
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J. COLE- "Lights Please"
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Hometown: Fayetteville, North Carolina
The Skinny: Jay-Z invited Cole, the first artist signed to Hova's newly formed Roc Nation label, to drop a guest verse on The Blueprint 3's aptly titled "A Star Is Born." Cole is working on his upcoming as-yet-untitled debut with producer No I.D. (Kanye West, Alicia Keys).
BUY:
iTunes |
Amazon
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NEON INDIAN- "Deadbeat Summer"
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Hometown: Austin, Texas
The Skinny: Full of danceable beats, carefree vocal melodies, and synth atmospherics inspired by Vangelis' Blade Runner score, Alan Palomo's debut album as Neon Indian, Psychic Chasms, plays like '80s pop refracted through a, yes, neon filter.
BUY:
iTunes |
Amazon
56 Comments
Click here to comment- Posted By Diego Jered
03.08.10 4:47 PM
Muy buena propuesta musical!
- Posted By onepapertiger
02.22.10 3:12 AM
@ LILY -- YO! I took your suggestion (because of the smile) and Pomplamoose are the illest! I'm actually floored by how much I like these kids, they are adorable and talented: thank you for the suggestion.
SM
- Posted By lisa duncan
01.23.10 2:50 PM
tyvm
- Posted By jerseydoug
01.12.10 12:01 AM
this is a good time for music. love the year-end top10 (or whatever) lists. There's a nice handful at npr.org/music or try: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120574256
Enjoy and keep rocking!
- Posted By Anonymous
01.08.10 3:47 PM
What are the terms of the promotion? I don't feel comfortable agreeing to something when I don't have all the info. A link to the terms or something would be great. I'm not interested in being tricked into some kind of pay by month thing for a few free songs. Otherwise I'm really excited for any new music.
- Posted By Anonymous in 2010
01.02.10 10:27 PM
I just downloaded the songs. Had no problems.
- Posted By lcoonan
12.30.09 10:52 AM
By clicking Confirm and Download, you agree that you are 13 years of age or older, and you agree to the terms of this promotion and to receive future email updates from SPIN Media.
What to heck does that mean? I see no "terms for this promotion". Am I just signing up to get a few emails or am I joining some group that I will need to cancel within X days or start getting some kind of charge?
Thanks for clarification.
- Posted By Figured out the Zip
12.28.09 2:05 PM
A couple things. First, I figured out the zip problem. Once I took the quotes out of the zip file name and unzipped it on a Windows Vista machine, it worked fine. I could not get it to unzip on my Windows XP system. Second, why are some of you complaining about getting FREE music? Who cares if it's new or not. Quit your whining! I for one want to thank SPIN for making the music available at no charge.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
- Posted By Rees
12.22.09 10:13 PM
Why all the hate? Most of these bands have been around for a while -- it's rare one comes along and makes it big the first day out...duh.
As for you SPIN haters: If you hate SPIN so much, why do you take the time come on here and post? Why would you spend and energy at a forum for something that you hate so much? I know why: You need a place to try out your big boy pants. Now run along, your mommy's basement is calling.






























03.10.10 11:58 AM
we are the swagg boyz and i'm pretty sure that you will see us soon-we are the hottest in NY
our myspace is- www.myspace.com/theswaggboyz
Facebook- the swagg Boyz
google- the swagg boyz