There’s an overwhelming sense of familiarity to this record. From the Arctic Monkeys-esque opener, the album invites spot-the-influence moments: a Beatles melody here, a Devo-esque rhythm there, a touch of Elliott Smith elsewhere.
This wouldn’t be a problem if the sense of familiarity wasn’t further emphasised by the generic approach of their rock band shtick. While it’s a clear shot for something more pop-heavy from the band, it often just sounds like dull indie being filtered through a different lens.
The Tame Impala-like Time Machine finds the band entering into a new and pleasant groove that suits a new direction, but largely the high-octane rock stuff and super-on-the-nose ‘let’s try electronic pop’ stuff just all feels so well worn, tired and especially messy when they try to merge the two together.
5/10
Daniel Dylan Wray