The album that should have won the Mercury Prize instead of Alt-J. Many critics have praised the originality of this London quartet, but in reality, under the sound effects, quirky interludes and other stylistic eccentricities, it’s pure Britpop fervour worthy of early Blur that we find here, minus the glam. “Hail Bop”, “Waveforms”, “Love’s Dart”… There is an unusual amount of choruses taking off like rockets, supported by delicious vocal harmonies. This is what it sounds like when pop-rock makes an effort.
