The Subways

There’s a lot to be said for getting straight to the point: it’s quick, leaves little room for doubt. In some ways that could apply to The Subways new (their fourth) album. Opener My Heart is Pumping Brand New Beat’s pulsing rhythms and no nonsense punky riffing are pretty much the template for the core of the album and further bolstered by the fuzzing I’m in Love and its Burning in My Soul.

That’s not to say that The Subways aren’t afraid of a little experimentation. They take a sharp deviation on Because of You; its piano led, acoustic guitar and a passionate vocal from Billy Lunn. It neatly leads into the second half of the album which to these ears takes on a darker tone.

The brace of We Get Around and Pet Boy are noticeably heavier and just sound that little bit meaner too. Then just to confuse matters they launch into the tribal semi-rap of Black Letter - which will have the fans lurching and bounding in the pit. But then they throw in another curve ball with Is That Good Enough mixing harmonies from Charlotte Cooper with a more trad rock sound.

Initially it’s a tight 33 minutes of boisterous catchy rock and punk. A few more listens however and the songs start to bloom and details start to emerge that add some colour. Some of that must go down to their very own Billy Lunn whose produced it, and balanced the dynamics between lo-fi garage and chrome-plated histrionics. The results are first rate performances from the group and a very confident sounding set of songs.