My Chemical Romance - The Only Hope For Me Is You

With a title like The Only Hope For Me Is You, it could only be My Chemical Romance. And while the band's latest track doesn't feel like such a 'classic' moment as previous single Bulletproof Heart, if anything, it sees the band operating at an even more poppy level.

Underscored by the bubbling electronics that are something of a hallmark of their danger Days album, the chorus is exactly the kind of uplifting 'Fuck yeah!' moment you buy a My Chemical Romance record for. It's the kind of moment you go and see them live for, that moment when you rock out and just let loose.

And let's not forget, at its heart, this is a love song; the title itself screaming of pure devotion to that 'special' person. Now that all the hysteria and criticism over the 'emo' phenomena has moved on, it's easier to look at songs like this with an un-clouded eye and appreciate exactly what they stand for.

Out there right now there'll be hundreds of teens for which this song means something, for who The Only Hope For Me Is You will soundtrack the passions of a real romance.

And for that, My Chemical Romance will be made all the more real for them. And sometimes, that's what music is about - those emotions, those memories.

The Only Hope For Me Is You is released on the 22nd August.

Twenty Twenty - Small Talk

When I saw Twenty Twenty supporting The Saturdays on their recent UK tour, one of the first things that struck me was the professionalism and inherent charisma. And it's something they carry onto their debut mini-album Small Talk. Eight tracks long, it's a remarkably consistent record that packs a real sense of youthful energy and passion.

The band might draw obvious comparisons to groups like McFly and Busted, but in realty Twenty Twenty represent a harder, more anthemic sound. It's a diferent creature entirely, going forth into a vastly diferent musical landscape than when these two bands launched themselves last decade.

The album is chock-full of fun, upbeat pop-rock - these are songs ready made for a live audience, full of catchy choruses and singalong chants. This is music for the heart, really rousing stuff - lead single Love To Life being the epitome of this. That innate charm and charisma surfaces again and again, the band really carrying an essence of themselves in these tracks.

Girl Next Door sees them showcasing their more gentle side - the song feels genuinely touching, for the everyman feel of it all, if anything. There's an open-ness to all the songs that invites you in, to share in the emotion of each and every track here. Jamie's Girl resounds to a chorus of 'she turns me on, she really rocks my world.' These are songs about simple youthful passions, but they're messages that speak to us all.

In an age where My Chemical Romance headline the most popular of festivals and dominate the Radio 1 playlist, its testament that a harder brand of rock is what the public want, and Twenty Twenty diffuse that into a teen-friendly outlet. They place a strong pop stamp on the record, tracks like Burning Up glossed over with little touches of synths that give Small Talk a thoroughly modern sheen.

One of the things I like most about Twenty Twenty is that it feels as if they've made this album without boundaries. It's not music tied into any particular time or scene - you feel their music could slide effortlessly into the pop charts of any country in the world. There's a simplicity to the songs, defined by a very clean production sound, taking you back to a more carefree time.

Small Talk is released on the 2nd May and can be pre-ordered from HMV here.