A slew of brand-new artist albums are set to be unveiled in a few short weeks. From releases by fledgling newcomers to full-lengths from established outfits with proven track records, we’ve been rifling through a stack of advance promos and streams to gauge the upcoming crop of albums on the horizon. So far, we really like what we’ve been hearing, and there seems to be a plethora of diversity and fresh ideas. Here’s a list of 10 albums that every dance-music fan should keep on their radar in early 2010 (listed in no particular order).

1. Groove Armada – Black Light (Om)
Groove is in the heart! The venerable English duo comprised of Andy Cato and Tom Findlay return with their sixth album, Black Light. After reaching a career peak with 2006’s flawless Soundboy Rock, Black Light features a more retro ’80s electro-pop sound achieved with collaborators Brian Ferry, SaintSaviour, Empire of the Sun’s Nick Littlemore, Will Young, Jess Larrabee, and Fenech Soler. The brilliant single “I Won’t Kneel” recalls ’80s-era Stevie Nicks and Annie Lennox, and only hints at this album’s true brilliance.
Release date: Feb. 23

2. Hot Chip – One Life Stand (Astralwerks)
After issuing a swanky mix disc for Bugged Out! and every member involved in various side projects, digi-funk purveyors Hot Chip somehow managed to find time to record their flawless fourth album, One Life Stand. The 10-track album features a nice mix of ready-for-the-floor uptempo tunes (“Thieves In The Night,” “Take Me Down,” “I Feel Better,” “We Have Love”) and tender, downtempo numbers (“Keep Quiet,” “Alley Cats,” “Slush”). Check out BSTV’s exclusive interview with Hot Chip here.
Release date: Feb. 1

3. Morgan Page – Believe (Nettwerk)
After releasing a collection of remixes in 2008, Elevate, DJ/producer Morgan Page returns with Believe. Over the course of 13 tracks, Page walks the fine line between pop and dance with cuts like his first single, “Fight For You.” Believe also features a cover of Pete Yorn’s “Strange Condition.”
Release date: Feb. 23

4. Jaga Jazzist – One-Armed Bandit (Ninja Tune)
Multi-member Norwegian outfit Jaga Jazzist deliver another album filled with jazz stylings meshed with a variety of musical genres, bumpin’ rhythms, and a delicate dash of whimsy. “Bananfleur Overalt” could be one of the best instrumentals you will hear in 2010. Interesting fact: One-Armed Bandit was mixed by Tortise’s John McEntire.
Release date: Jan. 25

5. Phace & Misanthrop – From Deep Space (Neosignal)
Picking up where they left off on 2007’s Psycho, drum ‘n’ bass duo Phace join forces with Misanthrop to deliver a provocative 14-track affair. More than a year in the making, From Deep Space sports a sound that is glitchy and wobbly in all the right places.
Release date: Feb. 8

6. Lindstrøm & Christabelle / Real Life Is No Cool (Smalltown Supersound/Feedelity)
Norwegian electronic-music impresario Hans-Peter Lindstrøm connects once again with songstress Christabelle (a.k.a. Solale) to present an 10-track foray into offbeat pop that’s filled with edgy beats and improvised vocals.
Release date: Jan. 19

7. Bomb The Bass / Back To Light (!K7)
Bomb the Bass’ Tim Simenon was so smitten with Brazilian producer Gui Boratto’s remix of his track “Black River” that he asked him to produce BTB’s new album, Back To Light, which includes contributions from Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore and Kelley Polar. The just-released single “Infinites” is already starting to make some noise courtesy of remixes by Micachu & Kwes (as Kwesachu), Jakeone and Bomb the Bass.
Release date: February 18

8. Massive Attack - Heligoland (Virgin)
After teasing fans with the brooding Splitting the Atom EP in October, the fifth album by Bristol-based downtempo legends Massive Attack features a dizzying array of vocal contributions (TVOTR’s Tunde Adebimpe, Damon Albarn, Hope Sandoval, Guy Garvey, and Martina Topley-Bird) and production by Neil Davidge and additional production by Tim Goldsworthy. We’ve heard the album, and it’s nothing short of brilliant.
Release date: Feb. 8

9. Kasper Bjørke / Standing on Top of Utopia (HFN)
HFN’s first artist album arrives by way of Danish beatmeister Kasper Bjørke’s second album, Standing on Top of Utopia, who has released a ton o’ productions over the past year on labels such as plant Music, V2, and Fine. The album sports a brooding, sleazy electro sound and is chock full of collabos with Louise Foo (Giana Factory), Jacob Bellens, Dennis Young, Dominique Keegan, and Kap10Kurt, among others.
Release date: Feb. 15

10. Sarah Goldfarb & JHK – Heartbeat City (Treibstoff)
French producer Jean-Vincent Luccini’s debut album is a collaboration with friend Jean-Christophe Hallary (a.k.a JHK). Heartbeat City takes its name from The Cars’ seminal ’80s album, while Luccini’s alias is borrowed from the character in Darren Aronofsky’s 2000 classic Requiem For A Dream. Musically, the album sports a cinematic sound, full of lush synths, percolating beats and general sonic mischief. Our fave track: “Lights At Night”
Release date: Jan. 18