Radlands

Eel Pie Island natives Mystery Jets are among the most arresting indie bands to hail from Britain in the last decade or so. The good news is that they continue to impress on album number four, Radlands. Recorded in both Texas and London, the group have left behind the subtle synth pop sounds of old and embraced more of an organic, ‘70s rock style, and the musical gamble has paid off in spades. Radlands is a joy to listen to. ‘Greatest Hits’ is a highlight – think Ray Davies of The Kinks duetting on ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ by Stealers Wheel – while ‘You Had Me At Hello’ is the best song The Eagles never wrote. Star of the show, though, is the gorgeous ‘Someone Purer,’ which has an emotional vocal performance from singer Blaine Harrison that could provoke a tear from Chuck Norris. If that is worth the price of admission alone, the rest of the album is not far behind. Check it out.