Getmusic

Over recent months, Delphic have been touted as the next big thing in dance music. I agree, but their music is not just dance music and they are not just for those of the dance-electronica persuasion.



Although synthesised, most songs draw their power from slow build-ups, harmonies and the overlaying of different musical patterns, all of which give "Acolyte" depth and make it stand out from nondescript, monotonous dance music. You can tell this was not put together on somebody’s computer, but created by real musicians. Who have talent.



The music is complex and James Cook’s voice is emotive. In “This Momentary” and “Red Lights”, Cook has a way of singing each verse with one breath, which builds from soft to powerful, complimenting the music. “Submission” is Pet Shop Boys-esque, “Remain” beautiful, the single “Doubt” a solid dance number, but “Counterpoint” outshines them, possessing all of Delphic’s best traits–build-ups and emotion interwoven with dance music and strong drumming–which have made me love this album. It is all too easy to lose yourself in "Acolyte", and I echo the words of other reviewers when I urge you to try Delphic out.

Stemming from religious origins, an Acolyte is someone who assists a high-ranking member of a church or cult, usually by performing ceremonial duties such as lighting altar candles, in the pursuit of eventually attaining clergy hood. Blasting off at light speed on a completely opposite trajectory away from these secular traditions is the Manchester based four piece outfit, Delphic who have just released their debut LP of the same name, Acolyte.



Tipped for massive success in 2010 Delphic is made up of members James Cook (Vocals) Dan Therman (Drums) Matt Cocksedge (Guitar) and Richard Boardman (Multi-instrumentalist) and upon first listen to their interstellar record, its easy to tell that Delphic are part of the same electronic dance-rock alumni as fellow brits, Bloc Party.



Masters of multi-layered reverb, Delphic fully immerse themselves into producing songs with an otherworldly quality to them, and the tracks Halcyon, Doubt and Counterpoint are the good examples of this; though for me Submission is the real stand out track on the record; its ethereal layering, combined with Cook’s haunting vocals, has a real mystical quality to it, one that I love.



Whilst listening to the record however, I couldn’t help but feel that the band
is a little restrained by the constraints of this format of delivery; to me Delphic produce such a harmonic quality of sound, one that would be better suited to
a live setting, for then I predict that they would explode out of the speakers and reverberate around your brain, which would in turn generate narcotic-esque levels of euphoria.



Reminiscent of bands like New Order and The Klaxons, Delphic have produced an album full of indie synth-rock bliss, so in order to take a journey through time and space, without leaving home, simply turn on Acolyte, crank up the volume and let yourself go.

Not being a man who enjoys a great deal of electronically crafted melodies and rhythms, I was slightly surprised by how good this album actually was. There are numerous dance/electronica acts out there but not many can claim to own the depth in their songs that Delphic do.



There are warming highs and crashing lows but all the time there remains a great feeling that these songs actually mean something. This is in the sense that they aren't just spliced together from nowhere because they sound appealing. There is a genuine feeling that this is a very well crafted and thought out album.



Another thing that struck me was the versatility of the album. I took to listening this album by casually lying down on my bed letting the album take its course. I'm sure many people do this with the same sort music as well. But there was an overwhelming feeling that whilst it was the music you can definitely just chill out to, it would be something that would explode on the live music scene.



A solid effort from the Manchester boys. 3.5/5 stars.



Choice track: Red Lights

Christ. Not ANOTHER alternative electronic band!? Haven't we humped that beast into submission already? It would seem not, it would seem that there is plenty of life left with Delphic's latest submission to our ears.




Their debut album 'Acolyte' is bound for glory and the kiddies and quite possibly the open-minded elderly are gonna love it. The BBC have already labeled them as one of the sounds for 2010 and – by-jingo – this reviewer is gonna have to agree with them!




Sounding like the sonic love child of a three-way between Bloc Party, Daft Punk and Midnight Juggernauts, Delphic has produced an album that will undoubtedly be turned up to eleven at any given BBQ this year. A certain anthem for many this year will be the song 'Doubt' which I have rather brilliantly nicknamed 'Catchy Von Hookenstein'. If you hear this and then don't have it stuck in your head, you're not normal – or you're deaf. One or the other.




If you're already complaining that you haven't heard anything good this year, then stop crying into your pink little journal Princess, and get down to the record store and buy this sucker! Stop reading and go! Hurry up! Don't make me come over there!




Trust me. It's an absolute cracker.