In 2009 sisters, did it for themselves....well almost

The charts in 2009 are saturated by female acts or female fronted acts. The top four best selling singles of the year so far looks something like this - Lady Gaga, Lady Gaga, La Roux, Lily Allen. Female, female, female fronted duo, female. One year ago none of these acts were in any sales based end of year chart. One year ago the top 3 biggest selling songs of 2009 so far were by people the public had never even heard of. One year ago, was one year ago - we are now in the eye of an eighties storm. Everything electronic, technicoloured, brash, angular, androgynous and garish is back. Wandering round London town you can see 80s influence everywhere. The music, the advertising, the magazines, and most of all the fashion. Fashion is notorious for going round in circles, but the 80s throwback has slipped into pastiche.

Gone are the sixties girls groups that Winehouse lumbered us with back at the tail end of 2006. No more beehives, smokey eyes or mini dresses. It's all about leather, quiffs and excess. Lady Gaga has painted herself as the Madonna of our day, whilst La Roux fit into the box label with ginger, androgynous, electronic and duo created especially for the likes of Yazoo and Eurythmics. Florence and the Machine can be seen channeling her inner Kate Bush, Pixie her Kylie, Jordin her Pat Benetar and Beyonce has to be the closest thing this generation has to Michael Jackson.

The parallels between Knowles and Jackson are staggering. Pushy father, lead singer of a world class band goes solo, eclipses bands success, creates iconic image, creates iconic dance routine, dances, sings, becomes a brand. The one difference, which i think will be B's saving grace, is that she was only thrust into the lime light at about 16, more than a 10 years later than Jackson was. She had her childhood, she had her fun, it was time for her to conquer the world, and that is what she is doing. Look into her eyes, all you'll see is ambition, drive and determination.

Whilst this eighties look is working wonders for the girls, pushing it as far as it can go, the boys have to be a little more clever with it. If we take a look at the new video from ex-Ordinary Boy Preston, his eighties image stinks of pure trend following. Frankmusik, however, has worked the eighties electronic game by updating it rather than living it.

But how long can this last? Are the eighties on the way out before it's really got started, are we bored already? Are bum bags about to come back....don't bet against it!!