The Irrepressibles

From some bands, there's no escape - their campaign cudgel hits you about the eyes and ears wherever you seem to go, no matter how picky you are with your bars and shops. Then others' seem only to cross your peripheral vision before they're gone, leaving behind a wish for a better look.

Some were lucky enough to catch a glimps of the Irrepressibles in the woods around Latitude or on its lake this, and last, summer. A chosen few were left astonished when they popped up at the V&A in London. And a tantalising trace of this chimera, half band half mini-orchestra, has been circulating on Youtube for a while, in the form of a short film by Shelly Love in which the band perform.

In January 2010, led by their creator and front man Jamie McDermott, the shy Irrepressibles will be stepping out of the mist to offer us all a taste of their craft with their debut album, Mirror Mirror. Costume, movement, spectacle and sumptuous music are the parts. The sum is a heart-stopping, often sensual magic.

Volatile and surprising, Mirror Mirror is released on V2/Co-op on Jan 11. Available to order from Amazon.

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Alan MX

It is with relief that we can report AlanMX has released his debut album, Warpsichord. A weight off our mind as the secret's finally out: AlanMX is brilliant. A musical mind as colourful and playful as a fairground, and a voice that reminds you how good Tom Vek was. The album's a study in skittering beats, jittering string samples and lyrics that touch on the subtle nuances of love and relationships.

Confidently pitching his tent in "gay artists" camp, he has an unambiguous opinion about who that relates to his music.

“When I think about it, most music is an expression of love. Or songs, anyway. The most common subject of a song is love or lust. If someone was to renounce or ignore their sexuality as a musician, I think it limits their accessibility.”

Musical toffee for your ears, Warpsichord is released on Small Town America and available now from iTunes.

The Gadsdens

The Gadsdens set sail for the charts for the first time this week with the digital released their debut single, Sailor Song.

The likes of Idol and X-Factor continue to homogenised our ideas of what's a great singer and the public's appetite for junkfood voices seems unstoppable (they're either bland or contain too much sugar and salt, and definitely trashy). In Jody Gadsden's voice we have a new feast, unlike anything that's been served up for decades.

Recalling those early years of the 80s, where blue eyed soul provided a rich stylistic seam for guys with high voices and women with low ones, Gadsden likewise sees no value in traditional masculine vocal style. Frequently compared to Tracy Champan, he's unfazed and humbly flattered rather than offended. And like all great soul voices, a sadness sits at its heart. It's impossible not to respond with love.

Sailor Song by the Gadsdens is available from iTunes

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The Hidden Cameras

Three years after their insistently rhythmic last album, Awoo, the Hidden Cameras return with a record which cradles together familiar sounds and themes with a new depth and darkness which will catch some off-guard.

Early reviews are raving about this "mature" sound, with apparitions of misty eastern strings and sadistic brass punches. But they've not abandoned that profound gift they have for simple melodies, with recent single, In the Na, being an ecstatic lesson in economy. And never one to mince his lyrics, Joel Gibb still spins lines that would have outraged Dail Mail readers jabbing pen to paper. Currently on tour in North America, Gibb will directing his Cameras around Europe in March 2010.

ORIGIN:ORPHAN is released in UK 2 Nov with a tour planned for March 2010

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Dolby Anol

Dolby Anol are dance music's worst kept secret. They’ve been getting played out by Boys Noize, MSTRKRFT, Annie Mac, Kissy Sell Out and are in high demand for their remixing talents, putting their own twist to a whole smorgasbord of impressive names such as Kings Of Leon, The Gossip, Chromeo and La Roux.

Coming out of Glasgow, the production duo of Graham Peel and John Baillie Jnr (also the vocalist of Dananananaykroyd) have been knocking out original floor burners for the past couple of years, including their own club banger tracks ‘Puppies’ ("Summer Electro anthem" - Mixmag) and ‘Tender Touch’, featuring vocals from Lola from Spectrum and Chrome Hoof.

Dolby Anol release "Sandy Bitches" in November on Tigerbass

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tender touch from rebecca davies on Vimeo.

Scott Matthew

Best known as the composer and performer for most of the music for John Cameron-Mitchell's film cult classic Shortbus. He's also one of Antony Hegarty's favourite singers, opening for Antony & the Johnsons at this year's Montreux Jazz Festival.

His voice has a heartbreaking quality, remarkable in its indolent beauty and emotional range. Sophisticated without ever being clever, his songs unfurl with the naturalness that marks out a master of his craft.

Gigs in London 31 Oct and 1 Nov see qpitch.co.uk for details

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SCOTT MATTHEW - WHITE HORSE from orangepopberlin on Vimeo.

Dance Yourself to Death

The high tide of Canadian talent refuses to ebb. With their debut album, Toronto’s Dance Yourself to Death have created a fantastically fun record. "Ready for Love". sounds slick but not over inspiration from artists who spanned several musical eras, from Fleetwood Mac to the Cars, to New Young Pony Club, creating a sound that’s hook-laden, highly addictive, and ready for repeat rotation on your stereo.

They count among their fans Peaches, MEN, Uh Huh Her , the Indigo Girls fans and perhaps surprisingly Sir Elton John who cast the band in his 2006 film “It’s A Boy Girl Thing”. That's one to remember for the pub quiz.

On tour in Europe during November, check their myspace for dates

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