4/5 stars
The Vaccines have returned with their third album in tow, and English Graffiti sees the West Londoners in career-best form. The quick and rough production style of their debut album in 2011 earned them fans the world over, and their sophomore effort a year later, appropriately titled Come Of Age, saw them grow as songwriters.
This third long player is another big step forward for The Vaccines. Given they only formed in 2010, it’s shocking how good they’ve already become and how quickly they’ve gotten there.
Lead single and opening track ‘Handsome’ was released some time ago and is as brash as it is confident. It has a buzzy and infectious appeal about it. The next song, ‘Dream Lover’, is also the current single and despite being rather different in feel is just as good as – if not better than – the opener. The chorus is euphoric and instantly appealing on every level, yet the heavily reverberated riff is what really underpins this excellent tune.
‘Radio Bikini’is the best track at the tail end of the album, while ‘Give Me A Sign’ again shows off The Vaccines’ ability to morph their well-renowned power and slow tempos together effortlessly.
