5. Haim - Days Are Gone
Haim are an LA based band consisting of three sisters whose road to success has been a chaotic one - shaky record deals, kids TV theme tunes and cheesy pop videos (Este and Danielle were members of the uber-manufactured girl group Valli Girls!). But the trio released their debut record in what seemed like an age after they burst onto our radar and it became one of the most hotly anticipated albums of 2013. They're a mix of subtle R 'n' B, folk and pop with a reliable tradition of electro-flecked songs to soundtrack your recession blues. The official video for mega-hit Falling looks like it's been shot entirely in front of an Instagram filter and carries the lyrics "...I'll never look back, just hold you're your head up..." that'll have you bopping along in the same staccato way it's sung. The Wire is a track that wouldn't sound out of place on Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album as the sisters' harmonies are a combined fist-fight of Stevie Nicks and Joni Mitchell echoes, "always keep your heart locked tight, don't let your mind retire..." Haim are cool, there's no two ways about it. With massive style points and impeccable guitar dexterity, Haim are the best kick-ass 'grrrl' group we've heard in ages, and prove that girls quite clearly can and do rock.