Two Door Cinema Club -Beacon

It’s clear that Northern Ireland’s Two Door Cinema Club did not allow the success of debut album, Tourist History, to go to their heads. Follow-up, Beacon, emphasises the band’s indie-pop sensibilities, proving more ambitious than its predecessor.

From the spluttering synth-like guitar intro of ‘Next Year’, it’s evident that Beacon is not a departure from the band’s sound, but a logical progression. Virtually all tracks are radio-friendly: Pop hooks, driving bass and Alex Trimble’s unassuming vocals creating a contagious optimism, most notably on ‘Handshake’. However, ‘Sleep Alone’ feels too convenient a lead single – there are other tracks with much greater depth, such as ‘Wake Up’ and ‘Someday’. Not a change in direction, but an album brimming with newfound confidence and enthusiasm.

7/10 stars