It was a phenomenon meant to take over the world, kill the guitar and destroy the English language. Even as an endangered guitar player with zero grasp of street talk, I couldn’t help but think hip-hop was a great thing, a genuine revolution led by, but not limited to, music.

Frightened Rabbit was once a solitary sweater-wearing student from Selkirk: Scott Hutchison frequented small stages with few songs and fewer followers. Growing into a fully-fledged band with a backlog of beautiful yet indescribable tunes, the Rabbits have found themselves caught in the spotlight and are now topping end-of-year ‘best of’ lists and selling out huge venues.

The Paddingtons bask in a glorious lack of routine, but like their good friend Peter Doherty – a serial no-show when it comes to interviews – their elusiveness only makes them more intriguing.

While it carries a motto expressing their devotion to new music, is Radio One really supporting the music in this country that actually matters?

This week's day late look at four of the newest singles.

“Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible”. So said Frank Zappa, perhaps one of our most progressive and deviational musicians. On the whole I like Frank’s approach to new things, particularly when it comes to music, yet recently the idea of progress caught me in a less charitable mood, coming as it did with a dose of Schadenfreude.

And still she waits; the perennial bride of our time. With extra buttons loosened and an ever shortening skirt, on show is a sordid foreplay that would normally raise a chorus of "get a room!".

This week's singles are mostly depressing, however there's an unlikely saviour in one of the Fratellis...

It was, for me, becoming one of life’s certainties; music has both the voice and the range to impress upon any moment. Whether it is in celebrating a sporting triumph, thanking your version of our maker or wooing a lover, a sonic backdrop that can raise the emotions is seemingly always available.

Jamie Smith takes a look over the recent efforts from Little Boots, Frightened Rabbit and Manchester Orchestra.