Blowin' up in '09

The Postelles

Who: Seems half of the breaking artists these days don’t even have a full album to their name. Cue the Postelles, a group of charming New York indie rockers who have only released a self-titled EP and just began recording their full-length debut, produced by Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., and due out later this year. Far from inexperienced, the Postelles have already played big events like Bonnaroo, and were one of our favorite small-stage discoveries at Lollapalooza ‘08.

What: With less edge but better hooks than Hammond’s band, the Postelles are much more endearing than the usual NYC hipster act. Credit for that goes to the group’s clean sound and Daniel Balk’s easygoing voice, which owes more to Frankie Valli than Julian Casablancas.

Most likely to blow up: “123 Stop,” a tough-to-resist pop ditty that’s so sweetly old-school it practically demands to be introduced by Casey Kasem.—Matt Pais