FROM the new look of 'girl power' to the rise of some fresh Manchester stars, it's going to be a fascinating 2005, predicts Gary Ryan:

THE FADERS

PREPARE to give the V-for-victory sign and yell 'Girl Power!', as Polydor provide us with a bonsai Go-Gos. The Faders are like Busted with boobs.
The jailbait trio are Londoners Molly (17), Cherisse (17) and the unfortunately christened Toy (19). They play their own instruments (copyright: McFly), and their debut single No Sleep Tonight is Are You Gonna Be My Girl? with oestrogen injections. More precisely, it comes on like Republica performing Lust For Life.
Feel that S-Club 8 have lost the fire and spark of youth? Well, Island are launching Lovebites. Sisters Aimee (15) and Hannah (14), plus schoolfriend Danielle (16), promise a heady dose of teenage angst. Could be heart-rending stuff.

Check out: www.thefaders.co.uk

THE BRAVERY

RING, ring. 'Hello ' is that Bravery vocalist Sam Endicott? It's Morrissey here! I was just wondering if I could have my haircut back?'
New York five-piece The Bravery are cursed with being labelled the new Killers, with a sound scavenged from old Duran Duran and Cure LPs. The rather fantastic Unconditional EP is currently doing the rounds, with new single, Honest Mistake, due out in late February. Really! If they wore any more eyeliner, they'd have to tilt their heads to blink.

Check out: www.thebravery.com

THE TEARS

AS one partnership implodes and Pete Doherty becomes an ambulance chaser's dream, The Tears offer a glimpse into The Libertines' possible future. The day after Suede's 2003 tour finished, frontman Brett Anderson phoned former guitarist and founder member Bernard Butler, who he hadn't spoke to since the latter quit during 1994's Dog Man Star album sessions. An unlikely rapprochement ensued.
The Tears is the duo's new band and ' for all you A-Level students out there ' the name's taken from the Philip Larkin poem, Femmes Damn'es. They have made it clear not to expect Suede: Mark Two.

Check out: www.thetears.org And their upcoming gig at Manchester University on February 13.

CHARLOTTE CHURCH

THE former 'Voice of an Angel' unleashes her much-delayed debut pop album this year.
She's doing everything in her power to ensure it's a success, having co-penned tracks with Guy Chambers, Marcella Detroit, Gary Barlow and Alicia Keys.
Watch out for the Cathy Dennis-written lead single, Restless, and here's hoping that Charlotte becomes the female Robbie. That means downing so much alcohol she can't be let near exposed flames. It's time to step up and do your duty, Chaz ' a nation expects nothing less!

CIARA

THIS year is when we introduce a new word into our lexicon that will sound cringingly embarrassing when uttered by anybody over 25. It's 'crunk' ' a combination of 'crazy' and 'drunk', originating from Miami. Queen of the Crunk is Ciara, currently touted as the New Beyonce, but before she turned Destiny's Child into QVC: The Musical. Ciara's debut single, the US chart-topping Goodies, comes out on January 17.

Check out: www.ciaraworld.com

BLOC PARTY

THIS East London quartet have been backed by those binge ironers, Franz Ferdinand. Forming two years ago, Bloc Party (vocalist Kele Okereke, bassist Gordon Moakes, guitarist Russell Lissack and drummer Matt Tong) are being touted as THE band of 2005, with a muscular punk-funk sound custom-made to get indie-kids crying 'Up Periscope.' Debut album, Silent Alarm, hits the stores in February.

Check out: www.blocparty.com

JEM

SHE'S the new Dido ' no wait, come back! Born in Cardiff and now living in Los Angeles, Jem has appeared on The OC and written songs for Madge's last album, not to mention Julia Roberts' next film. 150,000 albums have been flogged in the US. We know what you're thinking: She sounds like Norah Jones! But if nothing else, it's 2005's Christmas present for your mother sorted. Her debut single, They, is out in late February.

Check out: www.jem-music.net

FIGHTSTAR

WITH Busted's Charlie Simpson announcing that he has to make a Solomon's choice between Busted and 'side-project' Fightstar, it's sayonara Mattie and James; his expiration date is looming. Fightstar's debut EP is due out early this year on Fierce Panda. With catchy choruses, model good looks and a ready-made fan-base, can they fail? Just don't mention Paul Cattermole ...

Check out: www.fightstarmusic.com

TOM VEK

AMBASSADOR of Geek chic, 23-year-old Tom Vek, has been making music in his folks' garage since he was 14. But before you call social services, accusing his parents of 'creating another Bedingfield' as the neighbours load the kids and burning torches into their hatchbacks, bear in mind that Vek's cornerstones are Beck and Talking Heads with a soupcon of The Rapture thrown in for good measure.
On stage, he has worn a black suit with a red ski mask ' so expect the Crimewatch Reconstruction Look to take off soon.

Check out: www.tomvek.tv

NINE BLACK ALPS AND STEPHEN FRETWELL

THE obligatory annual 'This time they're going to make it!' Manchester-band sentence. And this year they will. No fingers crossed behind backs. No pacts with Lucifer. Once bitten, twice shy...

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