Playlist: 10 tracks you need to hear

Katy B ft. Jessie Ware: 'Aaliyah' (out now) 
One surprise we weren't expecting this month was the release of Katy B's new EP 'Danger', which is available for free now. For only a taster of what's to come on her new album early next year, it's astonishingly good; particularly the Jessie Ware-assisted dub-dance track 'Aaliyah'.

Devlin ft. Diane Birch: 'Rewind' (out January 27) 
After scoring his first top ten single with 'Watchtower' earlier this year, Devlin returns with an even more chart-friendly cut in the form of 'Rewind'. But while the melody sounds suspiciously like Heart's 1987 hit 'Alone', he gets plus points for teaming up with US singer-songwriter Diane Birch

Diana Vickers: 'Bright Eyes' (release date n/a) 
We have to admit, we've been enjoying all the Diana Vickers songs that have been popping up online over the last few months. Her latest is a wistful slice of electro with an ear-snagging chorus that fortunately includes the attached message: "Diana Vickers returns in early 2013". 

MIA: 'atTENTion' (release date tbc) 
The singer proved that pestering stars on Twitter can pay off, after she released a new track following a fan's complaint about her lack of new material. The song itself is a typically head-spinning mix of tribal beats and electronic squiggles, but as usual she manages to pull it off.

Fenech-Soler: 'All I Know' (out now) 
The Northamptonshire electropop quartet quietly put out their latest single back in October, but after making Radio 1's playlist last week, it finally appears to be getting the recognition it sorely deserves. Could 2013 be their year?

Elliphant: 'Down on Life' (out January 14)
"We are waking up in a pile of s**t," Elliphant claim on their appropriately-titled new single. Led by Swedish singer Elli, the track's bouncy electro beats and Caribbean-styled vocal wouldn't sound out of place on a Rihanna album. 

Tamar Braxton: 'Love and War' (release date tbc) 
Toni's youngest sister has so far failed to find success in the music biz, but her latest R&B ballad - while no 'Un-Break My Heart - has picked up considerable buzz in the US. 


M83: 'Wait' (out now) 
The French artist known by his mates as Anthony Gonzalez rounds off a successful year with 'Wait'; an emotional ballad accompanied by a stunning visual that also serves as the final instalment of his collaboration with The Creators Project. 

Angel Haze: 'Galaxy' (out now) 
Ahead of making this year's BBC Sound of 2013 longlist, rising rapper Angel Haze dropped a new track titled 'Galaxy'. It's a spacious, synthy affair sponsored by Samsung (she recorded in their "studio") that might sound cheesy on paper, but the result is surprisingly good.

Carly Rae Jepsen: 'Almost Said It' (out now) 
With her current UK single 'This Kiss' failing to do the business chart-wise even in her hometown Canada, Carly Rae Jepsen has taken a different tack for her next native release. 'Almost Said It' is a gentle ballad that might lack the pep of 'Call Me Maybe', but it's just as sweet.