It’s been nearly a month since we we published the long-list of bands and artists picked by 32 of the finest bloggers around to be big in 2012, but today we can finally reveal the top five and the *winnner*. Drum-roll please…

5. Daughter – Soft, slow, spacious and often haunting folk [coverage]

4. French Wives – Uplifting and heart-warming indie from Glasgow

3. Beth Jeans Houghton – All kinds of oddities rolled into an alt-folk package [coverage]

2. Theme Park – Tropical and danceable indie pop with a nod to the 80s [coverage]

1. Friends – Rhythm focused pop with an almost-carnival/ R’n’B sounds.

Congratulations to Friends for taking the top spot and having one of the biggest songs of last year, but I’d hope that all the bands even on our long list go on to big things. This list was done as an alternative to the BBC Sound of 2012 poll, and they should be announcing their winners today as well – and Friends are on their short-list… If anything, both lists will hopefully serve as a platform for all the bands recognised to move onwards and upwards.

On the topic of picks for 2012, the Walrus staffers will be producing their own top 3s for 2012 over the coming week so watch this space.