Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind of Fix

Bombay Bicycle Club currently find themselves in the very common position of being liked and respected, but not quite shifting a proportionate amount of records. Their third album since they left school as many years ago feels like a confident effort to redress the balance. OpenerHow Can You Swallow So Much Sleep, their Bright Eyesish Twilight soundtrack contribution, sets the template for the finer tracks here – a lilting repetition slowly builds, all bouncy sensitivity and earnest determination. Singer Jack Steadman's distinctive voice still sounds like he's had the corners of his mouth taped to his ears, but it's boosted by an elegant palate of guitar layers and stadium-friendly drums, and is now more muscular than weedy. There are occasional lapses into epic-indie-lite – Beggars is Keep the Car Running Jr – but this is a strong, forward-looking record that delights in its own ambition.