Greg Gilbert may not be a name that you recognise, but this faceless name that may not be logged away in your memory is attached to a voice that certainly will be. The gorgeous falsetto vocals of Mr Gilbert swathing the rough steady chug of the 60s-rock inspired melodies and shimmering synth garnishes altogether to produce the sound that make Delays so unique. Once heard they cannot be forgotten.

The Southampton four-piece were born from a brit-pop era band 'Corky' who were standing in the shadows of giants like Oasis and Blur. The two sets of siblings that were the floundering foursome made an incredibly successful move and regrouped as the infectious indie-pop mongers we know today, Delays. They produce big, dazzling sounds full of colour that makes you soar. With the release of 2004's 'Faded Seaside Glamour', NME most eloquently summed up the feel of the album as 'acid in your candy floss pop hits'. That sounds about right.

You can listen to albums like 'You See Colours' or 2010's offering, 'Star Tiger Star Ariel' and you could easily play 'Influence Bingo' if you wanted to spot all of Delays' apparent inspirations. That's if you had too much time on your hands of course. There's homage to 60s vocalists like The Hollies, flirtations with rockabilly, the atmospheric sunshine of 90s rock of hook-heavy bands like The La's, the ethereal swoopings of Cocteau Twins. It's all in there. But rather than becoming a complicated musical mess, they emerge like a beautiful harmonious butterfly. 'Long Time Coming' is just one of their songs that will survive in your consciousness forever. If you fancy a melodic trip to a very beautiful place, Delays are the band that can guide you there.

Delays play Manchester Academy 3 on Friday 8th October.