★★★★☆
Curve Of The Earthsoars high in all its melodic magnificence, rocketing to orbit and back as it spares little time for filler.
If the nine articulate and textually diverse songs make up the Earth’s core, then it’s the production that coats this blue planet with life, accentuating an already fine specimen.
Mystery Jets’ English roots run deep throughout this record, offering subtle salutes to everyone from The Beatles to Radiohead. ‘1985’ channels the candour of Thom Yorke’s bittersweet delivery, while ‘Blood Red Balloon’ echoes The Beatles’ vocal harmonies and fluttering synth sounds akin to breakthrough-era Pink Floyd. At times ethereal, and others grounded, the album’s lyrical themes centre on reflection. Peering down from above and stargazing from below, the songs shift from introspective to retrospective points of view, musing on a life’s past and present.
Rich in melody, Curve Of The Earth will have you humming hooks for days on end. Vocals, guitars and keys are in a constant state of trade-off, each demanding attention in the leading role and making each opportunity worthwhile.
Mystery Jets’ latest effort is catchy and easily digested, without succumbing to monotony – the songs break the stratosphere, but remain relevant to life on Earth.
Curve Of The EarthbyMystery Jetsis out throughCaroline.
