The disc opens up with the slightly electronic infused "Next Year", a track that blends in standard issue guitar licks and the lead vocals of Alex Trimble make this track a standout and brings in some musical elements that we heard on their last release to a great degree. "Handshake" features much of the same musical characteristics as the previous track, but features more prominent guitar and bass tracks that do a neat job on conveying to the audience their blend of musicality and what to expect on the rest of the album to come. "Sun" brings it down a couple of notches with some solid piano melodies and electro infused delights that show off a different side of the trio and their capabilities as musicians in the process. "Someday" amps up the musical intensity substantially with more full bodied guitar riffs and Alex's simple vocal style allowing the listener to join in the middle of the action quite easily and not miss a beat. My favorite track off the disc is the album's first single, "Sleep Alone" a track with incessant drum beats that are reminiscent from the band's breakout hit "What You Know". While not as catchy as that song, the track does a great job of keeping the listener's attention and ensures that they'll stay around for the remainder of the album.
The disc's second half begins with "The World Is Watching" featuring the vocal talents of Valentina, a slow and steady rocker that features groove laden guitar licks that allow you to move along to the song with great fervor and ease, making this song impossible to not enjoy. "Spring" almost feels like a reggae tune with some of the guitar riffs giving off the aura of being in a lush, tropical paradise and gives the band some depth and even more reason to check out their music if you haven't already. The disc ushers in its conclusion with "Pyramid" a downtempo, intricate tune that features ominous guitar riffs that jump out at you unexpectedly to throw the listener off guard a bit just for fun and give them something unexpected in the process as well. The title track closes it all out with a pleasant sounding melody that brings in some elements from the prior tracks to give the listener a quick synopsis of what they heard so far in their journey to the conclusion of the album. When I first heard Two Door Cinema Club after they released the aforementioned "What You Know", I was amazed with the song's catchiness and it's ability to get stuck in your head quite easily. Another song from their last album, "Undercover Martyn" had many of the same characteristics as the former, which is the band's strong suit at this point. They're not much of an album band, but more of a singles act which is not necessarily a bad thing, it makes you prominent among music fans who will grow to love and appreciate whatever you have to bring to wet their musical palette.
All in all, a solid and consistent effort from Two Door Cinema Club, who bring us a collection that is not as consistent as their first, but does a great job of keeping the listeners attention all the way throughout and also showcases the band's musical growth from their prior disc.
Album Score: 3/5
Track Listing:
- Next Year
- Handshake
- Wake Up
- Sun
- Someday
- Sleep Alone
- The World Is Watching (with Valentina)
- Settle
- Spring
- Pyramid
- Beacon
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