Wu Lyf - Live at The Ritz, Manchester (4th February 2012)

Maybe, just maybe, the pressure of a homecoming gig was getting to Wu Lyf. A voicy Mancunian crowd failed to have their enthusiasm dampened by the quite bizarre New Romantic singer on warm-up duty. Immediately after his departure, choruses from the main act’s best-loved songs could be heard ringing around the infamous Ritz. Then the protagonists walked onto stage; then launched straight into “L Y F”. Smooth as.

The Dø - Both Ways Open Jaws (2011)

7/10

Does originality really matter so much?

In the current music scene, the quickest way for an artist to get noticed is by bringing something new to the table. It’s pretty much impossible to whip up something completely unheard of, from a musical tabula rasa, but even a new twist on an older idea or an amalgamation of older influences feels fresh.

Air - Le Voyage Dans La Lune

8/10


Back on soundtrack duty, Air return to form

If getting Air to do a soundtrack for the restoration of 1902 silent movie A Trip To The Moon sounded like a good idea, that’s because it was. The duo from Versailles have a number of excellently spacey, cinematic songs in their back catalogue, so their production fits the theme perfectly. Not only that, but this is some of Air’s best work for years.