‘Could you review our single?’ say so many email requests. It’s hard to be hurtful, when you like what you hear (and are still getting emailed requests from people going ‘You said you’d feature us…whne are you going to do it?!?!). Sometimes, it may be just chance but there are bands that -even without an mp3 to post, I figure, sod it, I have to feature them.

And one such band are Help Stamp Out Loneliness. Hailing from Manchester (but of course!), they are another fine reminder of how much gorgeous underground c-86 influences there are out there. Citing 4AD legends Colourbox as their main inspiration the band comprise D. Lucille Campbell (vocals, tambourine); Louise Winfield (organ, vocals); Katherine McMahon (piano, vocals); Bentley Cooke (guitar); Colm McCrory (bass); Ben Ambridge (drums, maracas); Ana Log (70’s drum machine & general sex appeal; it says here). Lazy comparisons will be drawn with B*l*e and S*b*s*i*n and C*m*r* O*s*u*a; for me, it’s Stereolab, not because this sounds like space age bachelor pad music, so much as it sounds very european, and I mean that as a compliment.

Their debut single ‘Torville and Dean’ will be out soon on Papiloons Noirs, and you can hear it on their myspace page. For me their standout track is ‘Record Shop.’

You’ll have a favourite Help Stamp Out Loneliness song soon too…