Metronomy - Love Letters

Album number four from Metronomy finds Joseph Mount in a confident, almost cocky mood. Anyone who doubted he could repeat the success of the Mercury-nominated, mega-successful The English Riviera should grab some ketchup: it’s time to eat your words.

Eschewing the shuffling, geek chic, dance rock stylings of his band’s earlier material for a more assured, sexier sound, the aptly titled Love Letters is impressive indeed. He may be a songwriter with his eyes firmly fixed on the future but Mount thrives in the analogue-cluttered environment of the famously retro Toe Rag Studios in London. Inspired by Love and Sly and the Family Stone, the 10 track opus pulls-off a neat trick of paying tribute to its ‘60s influences but also feeling fresh and inventive. Album highlight is the title-track,which fuses Chas and Dave-like pianos with soaring vocals.

Elsewhere, the Diana Ross-informed, shoop- shooping on ‘I’m Aquarius’ is infectious, while the use of a harpsichord on ‘Monstrous’ creates an interesting “party at Henry the VIII’s house” appeal. Unfortunately, the second half of Love Letters isn’t quite as strong. But the proggy, lilting ballad ‘Never Wanted’ ends proceedings on a huge high.

Love Letters is out on March 10.