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Ok, so first off I must iterate the fact that this particular run down is in no particular order, nor is it a definitive list of the best British record labels of all time (as if such a breakdown could ever be truly quantified). It is simply a list of some personal favourites within the British...MORE>>

Delphic - Doubt

 

In the interest of being completely honest, I had no idea what these guys were going to sound like when I was instructed to have a listen and write up a review of Delphic. I'd heard of them through various music magazines, MTV, and online music websites and the like, but never been interested enough to click that little myspace link that popped up. After taking that small step, I find Delphic are, for lack of a better word, hypnotic. The instant the page loaded and their song 'Doubt' started oozing through my speakers, I was in a trance.

They are like a lower-key and more vocal Crystal Castles, or a more varied and changing Hot Chip, or a more localised Mutemath, or a more chilled-out Klaxxons. The associations with other bands could go on for a long time, but I hope you get a general picture from these. They use multiple synthesisations with the drums and general tune, and use grouped vocals for various parts in their songs. Some of their songs are ones that are perfect for listening to while you use your other senses to so other things, or as background music for small social gatherings. On the other hand, if turned up loud enough, Delphic can provide perfectly good primary entertainment on their own.

In the aforementioned song "Doubt", the vocals are relatively subtle and soothing, with no large jumps from note to note. And a heck of a lot of crescendos are used, all of them being highly commendable. It starts with a good beat by various hummings of voices, and the swift inclusion of the electronic drumbeat provides a solid ground for the rest of the song. The main vocals jump in soon after this, and carries the music along until the chorus of multiple vocals and emphasised tune. The repetition of the beginning's hummings is one of the highlights of the song for me, as it is one of the more addictive components of the song.

So, in conclusion, listen to Delphic. Given their relatively unknown status just now (but it's shooting up into the known category as we speak), you can be one of the cool kids who can say "I knew of them before they were famous".