Vampire Weekend

Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Soon after the band met as students at the prestigious Columbia University in 2006, the Vamps began to create a buzz. Contra, the band's second album, from 2010, was a smash hit, placing them among the elite in new groups.

In their favor: Critics have heralded the band for its smart lyrics and hybrid of musical styles.
Biggest threat: Lead singer Ezra Koenig goes to grad school and decides to become an English lit professor.
Rating: 4.0