The Delgados

The latest Britpop invasion is tapering down to a trickle heard most often over the supermarket PA. But even though Coldplay’s warbly melancholy is a fine companion when deciding which frozen ham to buy, the Delgados‘ sophisticated sound, marked by the tradeoff vocals of Alun Woodward and Emma Pollock, is actually worthy of a headphone session or two. In fact, we’d even say the Delgados, who founded the Chemikal Underground label (home to Mogwai and Arab Strap), remind us that pop is best when it least resembles itself. And if the Delgados keep finding inventive ways to cut through the treacle with bitterly ironic lyrics over world-weary tunes, they could end up writing the handbook for the anti-bubblegum generation.