Vanbot's debut album was one of the standout pop LP's of the last year and shimmering New Order-esque slice of pop beauty Numb stands as one of the definitive highlights from the record. So only fitting then that it should get it's own video, which it now has - hurrah!
The video is a fascinating uber-arty look at how that striking album cover was created, all stop-motion footage and blurred colours - it's a dazzling kaleidoscope of visual imagery that fits perfectly with the twisting vortex of synths that the track itself is. A touch of neon is always a lovely addition too.
Any girl band who covers Linkin Park are in my good books straight away. Let us introduce you to Vanquish, the latest glamourous girl group set to take the UK by storm. Comprised of Bee, Holly, Lizzy and Rianna, the frisky foursome showcase their ace vocal harmonies in this rather lovely cover of LP's Numb.
Holly even plays piano on the track too - these days girl bands are having to fight tooth and nail to get the attention of the sceptical anti-pop radio playlists, and clear display of talent like this is always a favourable extra nod in the right direction.
Fresh from thrilling the UK on a variety of schools tours, club nights and theme park appearances the girls are hitting the ground running with a formidable blast of perky future-pop. We're loving the remix clips of their track Headrush on their website; it's carefree stilettos and disco balls stuff that wouldn't sound out of place on The Saturdays new album.
Their YouTube channel also gives a tantalising glimpse at Steal The Show and The Harder You Love; the girls spent the summer entertaining fans at the British Grand Prix earlier this year and the high octane thrills and spills of the race have clearly spilled over into their songs.
We hear they've worked with the amazing Space Cowboy on their debut album as well as Wayne Hector (the guy behind all of The Wanted's best songs), so we're expecting great things to come from these girls!
In this age of social media and internet-savvy teens, 15,000 fans on Facebook is a pretty sure sign you're on the right track. And that's exactly what new boy-band The Kixx have gone and got themselves. Comprised of David, Robbie, Dave and Jack, the band are set to join Olly Murs on his UK tour in the coming months - something sure to see that number of fans grow and grow.
Their debut single Already Gone is an electro tinged pop-rock stomper; a buzz-saw synth bassline and machine-gun beats setting the pace before the track launches into a full-throttle chorus. Electric energy lies at the heart of this track and it whips you along at a roaring pace.
Fans of The Wanted will lap The Kixx up, they present that same confident, powerful brand of lad-pop. But what marks them out as different? Well, they play their own instruments for a start. Then there's the more clinical, precise feel stamped all over Already Gone - It's a song that knows all the right buttons to press, presenting a more refined, modern breed of track. Imagine the swagger and youthful energy of McFly in their prime mixed in with the dreamy New Wave of Duran Duran and you'll have a fair idea of what the band sound like.
And if all that wasn't already enough to convince you to check them out, the video for the single features Emily Atack AKA Inbetweeners hottie Charlotte Hinchcliffe.
I really love some of Kixx's early YouTube cover versions too, in particular their take on Linkin Park's Numbwhere they transform the track into a beautiful chilled out ballad. It showcases a real rock edge to the boys' voices, a nice touch when so many competiting boybands head more for the R&B vibe. Take That's SOS and The Script's For The First Time also get an outing - one thing that really wins me over with these guys is simply the song choices displayed here, they go for less obvious songs and it allows them to fully come into their own. This is a band that place themselves in an increasingly crowded market and who aren't afraid to try something a little different to get heads turning their way. I'm impressed.
