Mystery Jets - Twenty One
sixsevenine/Warner
By Brooke Salisbury
The hotly-tipped British five piece have delivered their second effort in loaded, high-expectation sophomore style. Twenty One is the youthful, melodic album you'd expect from a bunch of twenty somethings, complete with girl-next-door tributes, boy/girl duets and some killer musical combos. Guided by the classics, the 'Jets put their spin on modern pop.
Rolling open with a riff that could belong to The Presets, Hideaway quickly tailspins into charged guitar pop. Vocals are a Tulips-style Bloc Party tribute, offbeat and slightly monotone between the modern instrumentals. Before you've pegged them, though, they dive into radio single Young Love with The Beatles on their mind. Graduating melodies and classic riffs cradle tell tale lyrics with the addition of London's Laura Marling on vocals, and it works a treat. Swinging between a synth and guitar focus, they give a nod to The Cure and The White Stripes with a cheeky borrowing of sounds.
The album functions as a musical postcard, telling stories while showcasing the versatility of a band previously labelled a prog renaissance project - although in showing off their variety they lose out of making a truly consistent, stylish album. With so many looks, you know next time Mystery Jets step out it'll be in something amazing. Twenty One would suggest they can't go wrong, really.