An unique look at albums that are still to be released, that we've already heard or in which we really believe or are already even addicted to.

No, this definitely won't be a complete overview of the releases of ’09. More a personal snapshot… What are we waiting for? Let the searching or waiting begin.

On the turntable for weeks already: ‘The Crying Light’ from Antony & The Johnsons. Now, already, without a doubt one of the records to land in '09's end-of-year charts. The big question: if Antony is still up to it, after ‘I Am A Bird’ (his breakthrough album), and if all his musical ‘vocal-loan-outings’ for the likes of Joan As Police Woman, Hercules And Love Affair and Current 93 were temporary outings to avoid the real, big work of a new album? Nope, this is 100% vintage Antony. Straight and direct from the heart. We're still die-hard fans.

On 7 April in AB and extremely convincing: Alela Diane's new album, called ‘To Be Still’, which sounds richer and more varied than its predecessor.

On to the category ‘we're wild about a number of musical Belgians’… The Belgian debut of ’09 belongs to The Bony King Of Nowhere. His debut ‘Alas My Love’ was recorded with the assistance of An Pierle's partner Koen Gisen. Beautiful. Pure. And flawless. Further Belgians to look forward to: The Golden Glows… Invited to the AB during Carte Blanche at the request of Stef Kamil Carlens and we were immediately charmed. Expect a few Golden Glows performances in the AB this year, as well as two albums. Vocal splendour and impressive interpretations of music from the twenties and thirties of last century…

Unfortunately we haven't yet heard the latest Animal Collective record ‘Merriweather Post Pavillion’, but we expect 'a lot' to 'a great deal' of Jon Hopkins and Micachu & The Shapes in ’09. The first is a classically trained musician who can't hide his love for electronica. His yet to be released album ‘Insides’ is one of the finest electronica records to be released in ’09. What's more, you'll also hear a lot from Micachu from Britain. This electro-pop trio's debut will be released in February via Accidental, Matthew Herbert's label. Unfortunately there are only a handful of tracks to be heard at the moment via: www.myspace.com/micayomusic.

’09 an exciting musical year? It certainly looks like it…