Tipsters: a selection of UK tastemakers select their favourite upcoming releases.

Lee Thompson, Emap SUGABABES THREE (UNIVERSAL)

"Thank God, at least someone in UK A&R has a pair of bloody ears! Darcus, these songs you've found for the girls are top premier league, Grade A corkers. Five future smashes all lined up for 2004 in the form of Diane Warren monster Too Lost In You, the brilliant In The Middle, Caught In A Moment that sounds like an airplay number one of the future, Sly-Fox-a-like Whatever Makes You Happy and the absolutely stunning Million Different Ways. I've never met you, fella..., but when I do next let me shake you warmly by the hand for the best album of its genre (or possibly any other genre come to that) this year by miles."

Dan Cairns, Sunday Times Culture M.I.A. GALANG (SHOWBIZ)

"Produced by members of Fat Truckers and Pulp, this debut 12 inch from the Sri Lankan-born Maya comes from the same label that put Panjabi MC in the charts. M.I.A. has the look, the lyrics, the profile, the mongrel beats and sonic references to be huge. If the majors have any sense at all they'll pile in. Chikinkis electroprog/glam-rock Assassinator 13 deserves radio support; ditto The Servant's grandiose, falsetto-rich Orchestra. And Mr David Viner's debut, Where the Posies Grow, is a Toc Rag-recorded piece of ...