No 'Doubt' that Delphic are brilliant.

Delphic are currently splitting opinions. Whilst some think they are the next best indie-electro band since Klaxons, others are saying they're predictable, boring and wannabes.

Seeing as reviews are all about opinion, I'm going to give mine straight. I think they're bloody fantastic.

New single 'Doubt' is a slight progression from debut 'Counterpoint'. Annoying overlapping, monotonous voices start off the song, but as soon as the chorus kicks in, you're hooked. It's anthemic and extremely catchy. What else does a chorus have to do, other than that? The video ain't half bad, neither.

It sounds a lot more mature on the new single, and a bit more thought has gone into how it can become more commercial. Considering this band are on the BBC Sound of 2010 poll, I think next year is going to be a massive year for Delphic. They're touring, album out mid-January and this time next year, everyone is going to know about them.

Listen to it >here<

I'd eat Late of the Pier's 'Blueberry' muffin.

Late of the Pier are finally back! Aren't we all glad to have them around again? Don't all shout at once, kids...

'Blueberry', at first, seems typical LOTP style; overlapped instrumental craziness. There's a certain Big Pink feel to the first 36 seconds, to be precise... Then the voice of Sam Eastgate is introduced. Both beautiful and haunting, it's not too often we get to hear his voice so untouched and angelic without the sound of absolute insanity overpowering. There's going to be plenty of David Bowie comparisons, that's for sure.

Synth heavy and really quite appealing, this will no doubt become an indie anthem rather soon.

If this song really were a foodstuff in the form of a blueberry, I'd happily suckle it dry.

Listen to it >here<

Zane Lowe - bit of a hero, I'd say

Not only has this New Zealand born DJ opened my ears to beautiful music over the past year or so through his Radio 1 show, but he also presents what is, in my eyes, the best, and most entertaining, music programme on TV - Gonzo.

I am happy to spread my passion for men in music, as seen before with Frank Turner and the like, but it's almost too hard for me to express my feelings for Zane. Wow, I sound like a fucking pervert, but seriously, he's a big influence on me.

It's great how he isn't a one genre man... he spreads the word of all. From British hip-hop to house, from dubstep to the best in new alternative music, there's no doubting he's a rather respected figure in music. Most DJ's nowadays stick to one genre - Huw Stevens and his indie, Annie Mac and her dance... I understand that's the way it is, but I reckon we need more open-minded DJ's like Zane.

And just to top it all off, once upon a time he saved Ryan Jarmans life at the NME awards all the way back in 2006. Imagine life without The Cribs in it? Nah, me either. If Zane hadn't of raised the alarm that Ryan was lying in a corridor bleeding like a fuckwit, that would of meant I wouldn't of met Ryan himself earlier this year, and wow, that'd be an utter travesty.

BBC Radio has got some great shows. I reckon most people think of BBC Radio as a 'mainstream pop with the occasional bit of indie-wankerness' type of radio station, but switch over to BBC 6 Music's Steve Lamacq show on at about 4 or 5 in the evening, and feel your ears melt in a flurry of orgasmic music, and of course, Zane Lowe's show at 7 on Radio 1.

I am now bored of my own BBC related rambling, therefore will end this with blog with a full stop. As you do.

BBC Sound of 2010

Once again, it's time.

Last year, Little Boots was the winner. Boy, she's done rather bloody well this year, hasn't she? It seems the bigwigs that decide the longlist for the BBC Sound of 2010 are mighty fine talent spotters. Fortunately, I'm feeling pretty musically intelligent right now for knowing (and loving) half of the bands on the list. You can see the full longlist >here<, but I'll just have a quick ramble about a few of the bands...

First up, The Drums. Well, they're probably the only band about at the moment that is truly living up to the hype. NME really shags the arse off of them. As do I. Their 'Summertime!' EP suggests that we have a 21st century Cure on our hands...

Delphic - electronic rock at it's best. Single 'Counterpoint' is really rather orgasmic. Friendly Fires-esque loveliness with high appeal.

Two Door Cinema Club - I'm a really big fan of these at the moment. Touring with The Wombats last year, they bring a new, refreshing twist to the currently dead indie-pop scene. Listen to new single 'I Can Talk'.

And now, Ellie Goulding. Whether you recognize the name or not, I can guarantee that you've heard her debut 'Under the Sheets' at some point recently - electro-pop with an unbearably catchy chorus. Precisely as my Dad said - it's as if Bjork and Kate Bush had a baby. It seems the BBC said exactly the same thing. Wise man.

Everything Everything in my eyes, are so fresh that they can't possibly fit into a genre. 'Photoshop Handsome' is lyrical nonsense, yet awfully hypnotizing. A bit of a fucking corker, I'd say.

Then there's Stornoway - close to my heart because they too are from my native Oxford. Recently appearing on Later with Jools Holland, it's clear to see that folk is coming back into fashion, with Mumford & Sons in the picture aswell...

Last but not least, Marina & the Diamonds. Marina's voicebox and face both being beautiful is rather annoying for me, yet there's no denying she and her band are gonna be big next year. Obviously, I suppose, as they've been on the NME Radar tour this year, and now their being on this list. To round off this band very quickly, Marina & the Diamonds create dreamy pop.

That's not all who is on the list. Giggs, a hurrendously flat-voiced grime artist from South London with no apparent idea as to what music is; Devlin, who is just such a bad R&B/Rapper that I can't be bothered to even waste time typing about him; Joy Orbison, a future dance producing hero; but now I do not feel obliged to comment on any of the other people on this list as I haven't yet checked them out. I should probably go do that now...

Frankie & The Heartstrings - a revolution is coming, I can feel it in my ears.

The retro-pop revival is absolutely on the way... the movement headed by Sunderland newcomers Frankie & The Heartstrings. The fact that Pete Gofton's (guitarist) sister is a certain Lauren Laverne, (indie type who mainly presents teen music programmes on T4 for the musically under-privalidged) has probably helped them on their way to the mini-stardom they're nearly at. Having recently supported The Drums, and about to support Florence + The Machine on their tour next month, it seems that they should soon finally be getting the recognition they deserve.

F&THS are about to release their debut on December 7th via Rough Trade. The two track single contains 'Hunger', an irresistible head-bopping sing-a-long that makes you want to pull down your trousers and do a little dance, and 'Fragile', a soothing XX/Black Lips-esque beauty. Also, random tune 'Possibilities' is available to download here.

In Frankie & The Heartstrings own words, "it's about time." It really is. It's about time to bring some life and soul back into the drained indie party.

misery makes me creative.

So I'm feeling quite unwanted in the world. Who do I turn to? My Dad, friends, boyfriend, some randomer off the internet? Nope. Mister Fucking Music, that's who. Mainly in the form of Frank Turner, as per usual.

As said before in the last post, Frank Turner defines my life. His lyrics are like poetry to my ears. When I went to go see him at Oxford O2 Academy in October, I've actually never felt so united with the human kind before. Normally, I'm a miserable bitch who doesn't particularly like people, but at that particular moment, whilst Frank was trawling through the classics (and future classics), the feeling of unity I felt was truly overwhelming. All through the night I had some sexy, indie, pissed-out-of-his-face kinda guy holding my hand, looking into my eyes and singing every single lyric. Every single one. What sort of an artist has literally everyone in the crowd praying to him? 

Because Frank Turner isn't exactly your mainstream artist, it means you don't get indie-wankers coming to his gig just because he's 'cool' or whatever. (I'm referring to most of the twats that went to the Passion Pit gig, you know you only knew a couple of songs; 'Sleepyhead' and 'The Reeling'). Fans don't just relate to the one or two songs... because his lyrics are actually true to life, meaningful and poetic in every way, shape and form, this means that he has TRUE fans. I may be young, but I'm not naive when it comes to music. I know it's hard for a band/artist to form an army of loyal troopers. But he's only gone and bloody done it.

Frank Turner, not only are you my hero, but you are a fucking God to so many people.

music isn't such a confusing concept.

Okay so, first of all... I'm hoping this'll get rather politically correct and annoying after a few posts. But I'm cool with that. After all, scandal is the first step on the ladder to stardom, right? 

Music; now that's a tricky subject to tackle. Or at least, that's what most people make of it. The way I, and most people my age look at music is a way to express ourselves. Be it the dirty chavs on the back of the bus pumping out Chipmunk from their brand new (and quite possibly stolen) phone, or the 'creative' and serene indie/punk wannabees who sit in fields every weekend getting pissed out of their faces to the sweet sound of The Maccabees. Either way, music defines what genre a teen is in. It causes stereotypes and withdraws emotion. 

All people want is for them to be able to understand where a song that they're listening to is coming from. They want to have their own perceptions on the lyrics...  Whenever I've split up with a boyfriend, I cuddle up to my moose teddy and listening to Frank Turner. Now, any Frank Turner fan knows the power he has over us. It's ridiculous. I listened to 'Substitute', and with lyrics such as, "music, well it's my substitute for love," it all made sense then. That's exactly what my substitute for love is. Music. Cheesy, but who gives a shiznik?

But that's all a song really has to do isn't it? Get through to the people? Bands and artists simply have to make people relate to their music in a way they never thought possible? So why has music got to have to be so tricky? It doesn't. That's all it has to do... connect.