O Emperor: five go mad with melody

A great tune can take you a long way in this game and Po, from Cork-based and Waterford-bred quintet O Emperor, is such a thing.

After one listen, its melodic layers, spooky atmospherics and straight-down-the-line harmonies make you yearn to hear more.

It may not be the most original thing in the pop-shop (O Emperor have probably worn the grooves off a few Grizzly Bear and Fleet Foxes' albums), but this warm, intriguing tune casts a micro-spell every time you hear it.

For now, Pois also the centrepiece of the band's live show, hitting you right between the ears with its subtle elegance and ambitious arrangements.

The trick now is to see if the band can come up with yet more kille tunes.

The band members first said hello to each other in music class and choir practice in secondary school. After playing in various other combos, they've been operating under the O Emperor moniker for the last three years.

There's a debut album already recorded and a couple of record labels are keen to be the ones to unveil that. One to add to your must-see list for the new year.

-www.myspace.com/ oemperorofficial