Delphic are a 3 piece, genre splitting band from Manchester. Their alternative-dance antics were first taken notice of in 2009 when minor French electronic label 'Kitsune' signed them and placed them on their compilation album, which in the past have featured 'Phoenix', 'La Roux' and 'Bloc Party'. Later on that year, Delphic inspired some show stopped performances at Reading & Leeds festivals and Creamfields, showing that the newbies are appealing to a wide audience. With an album on the way and the taster LP 'Counterpoint' baiting an audience hungry for new and experimental music, 2010 will be a big year for these fledgling entertainers.
Named in numerous "Sound of 2010" lists and mixtapes, Delphic are hyped to be a huge name in the alternative music market. So whats the big deal? Is it really THAT groundbreaking?
Acolyte sounds like an album that has taken inspiration from so many different places that it could either be seen as a masterpiece or a waste of potential. The big hit from the album, 'Doubt' is an addictive but anti-climaxing production, that I goes against most songs that insist themselves in the charts these days. However, it seems to follow the trend of most new music in which the vocals on the introduction are sliced; similar to 'Lady GaGa' or 'Two door cinema club'.
The stand out songs seem to be a 'Gary Numan' influenced. 'Submission' has a drum beat that seems to lend itself off a 'Portishead' electronic drum riff and the hook that has been borrowed off 'Usher's - Yeah!', with a telephone that rings in the background every bridge. Another multi-influenced tune is 'The Momentary'. The bass line is akin to an old 'Kings Of Leon' ballad, crossed with amazing merged vocals, chanting "lets do something real" and kicking back with a euphoric synth line, that could definitely fill the floor of any nightclub.
Interesting. It appears that a band that looks like it takes inspiration from so many genres can create something new; but is it really that new? In 2007, similar lists and mixtapes were focusing on the "Nu-rave revolution" as the Klaxons came onto the scene, their album although different to most things on offer, wasn't "ground breaking" at all, it was just hyped up to be different. 'Acolyte' is a similar story, the word "Acolyte" means someone who seeks to hold a greater position than they currently do in the church. Delphic don't not seek this, obviously, but it is a signal of intent. They wont do it with this album, they wont set the world on fire, but they will get noticed and all this publicity wont do them harm. Good luck to them and well done for creating a extravagant new sound that British music has been desperate for. 'Acolyte' deserves an accolade.
Album Rating: 7.5/10
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