Sunglasses most necessary. Photo: Getty Images

At 7.47 on this gorgeous morning, MIA signed my favorite band to her label, N.E.E.T. with one joyous twitter announcement:

“SLEIGHBELLLLLLLLS SIGNS TO NEEEEEEEEEEET”

Ah, that’s how we feel. MIA’s label kickstarted in 2008, signing her protege Rye Rye and more recently, DJ Blaqstarr — who’s produced songs for both Rye Rye and for the upcoming MIA album, due in June. The label’s also released to wider distribution — such as it did for the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. And it’s capable of taking a band far. (Check out the label’s official website, which today is just a giddy proclamation of Sleigh Bells’ signing.)

Sleigh Bells, who are currently at SXSW, were my backup pick for best song of ’09. (First place went to Miike Snow’s “Animal,” cuz I was feeling more upbeat.) With a shorn, metallic song that sounds like a dance band playing through broken speakers, the Brooklyn duo of Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss became one of the big breakout acts at last fall’s CMJ and caught MIA’s ear — leading her to sign Miller up to help her produce a track on her upcoming album.

Related:

Compiled Rumors About M.I.A.’s New Album, Including Release Date!

Hear their hit, “Crown on the Ground”:

Photo Credit: Getty Images