Universal Audio

Before all you orchestra-philes start blubbering into your soup, take heart: the new album from Scotland's Delgados, 'Universal Audio', is a big, stomping beast of an affair, with guitars and vocals to the fore. You could say it's their long awaited 'pop' album. You could say it's overdue. You could also say 'Universal Audio' represents something of a departure from the heavily orchestrated darkness of their previous efforts - and you'd be right.

The Delgados own and run Chemikal Underground Records, home to the likes of Mogwai, Arab Strap and Malcolm Middleton. They've been insinuating their own special brand of pop since their formation in 1994 and draw inspiration from sources ranging from the Incredible String Band to Hamish Imlach. The band's heady brew of off-kilter pop, strings and folk influences has attracted a loyal following, as well as critical acclaim.

As their songwriting and sound has matured, their arrangements have become more precise and quite beautiful. Their carefully considered guitar, orchestrated strings and haunting male/female lead vocals combine to create an overwhelmingly powerful and unmistakably grand style of pop music.