Beacon

Everyone's rooting for the impossibly youthful Two Door Cinema Club.

When we last saw them, the Northern Irish trio were busily pulling up trees with 2010 debut album Tourist History, making a name for themselves at gigs and festivals and generally winning over everyone they bounced about in front of with their compact, soaring melodies.

No question they had a formula – a pleasing combo of jangly, pretty riffs and galloping beats topped with Alex Trimble's innocent croon, turning every song into featherlight fun – but even familiarity bred warmth. Breezy appeal worked once, so what'll it be? Tinker with the recipe or keep it cautious?

The electronic pulses that kick off album opener New Year and, hot on its heels, Handshake suggest we're in for a subtle broadening of the TDCC range, but both tracks resolve into nimble riff-making and air-punching choruses. It'd be disappointing if the trio weren't so smart at what they do. As it is, it just feels good to be back in the saddle. It's a question of diminishing returns though, with Someday, Pyramid and The World Is Watching all galloping by in a flurry of box-ticking.

Only Sleep Alone – with its kicker of a chorus – and the detached, ghostly title track really stand out. Otherwise Beacon is a solid affirmation of style, neither terrible nor remarkable. We might've hoped for a bit more.

Album review by Matthew Horton