WHAT'S THE STORY: '80s throwbacks allegedly signed literally three seconds after forming in sunny Northampton.

TO BE HONEST: Has anyone seen that big vehicle bumbling down the high-street, labelled BANDWAGON, with Franz Ferdinand and The Killers sitting in the front, and Bloc Party, The Bravery, Editors and all the other The Cure-loving pubescents, sitting coyly in the back? Well, The Departure have just grabbed onto the exhaust pipe.

HOWEVER: Their songs are adequately tuneful, so we shouldn't be too harsh.

LISTEN OUT FOR: The single 'Be My Enemy'.