Mystery Jets: Twenty One
Mystery Jets return with the follow up to their acclaimed debut.
Friday, 07, Mar 2008 04:08
sixsevenine, out Monday, March 24th 2008.
In a nutshell.
The now-fatherless quartet explores love at the landmark age of 21.
What's it all about?
After three years as a signed band, the Mystery Jets unveil their latest offering, Twenty One, which sees the now four-piece explore the theme of youth. Lead guitarist Will Rees explains that the notion of youth presents an interesting dichotomy; that of being grown-up enough to not be a foolish adolescent, but at the same time retaining a certain enthusiasm.
Indeed flyer single Young Love deals with a one night stand from both individuals' perspectives, while at the same time incorporating one of the band's catchiest choruses to date and featuring delicate guest vocals from the Sophie Ellis Bextor-esque Laura Marling.
To watch the video for Young Love, click here
Who's it by
The Mystery Jets are one of the less orthodox bands to emerge from the post-Libertines music scene and, from a purely aesthetic view, are notable due to the presence of lead vocalist Blaine Harrison's dad Henry in the line-up. Henry has now left the touring group, but the band asserts that he remains heavily involved in the writing and recording of the group's material.
Blaine explains that the new album sees a lot more collaboration between members of the band, with the majority of the members sharing writing credits for it tracks. Following a US tour with Klaxons the quartet has enlisted the vocal talents of London folk singer Laura Marling for the lead single from Twenty One.
As an example.
"One night of love, nothing more, nothing less/One night of love to put my head in a mess/One night of love nothing more, nothing less/One night of love has left my bed in a mess." - Young Love
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
While the band's previous offerings may have been a little too off-the-wall for a trip to the award ceremony (it's hard to imagine the audience at the Grammys chanting "Zootime Zootime Zootime"), Twenty One is a far more mature offering from the group. While they're not quite there yet, they've certainly shaken off their reputation as just a bunch of wide-eyed Pink Floyd fans.
What the others say
"The aimless, jangly guitars do little other than confuse." - This is Fake DIY
"A playful pop gem of a second album." - Gigwise
So is it any good?
Lead single Young Love is certainly one of the catchiest track the Mystery Jets have produced so far, although its catchiness appears to be based on repetition for the first half of the song. Laura Marling's vocals however, are a fantastic addition and add a new depth to the single - a full-time touring replacement for Henry perhaps?
Flakes' spare arrangement and the richness of Blaine's lyrics result in it sounding like a slow Coldplay number, but without the overblown pianos and hand-doodling. While certainly not as immediately catchy as other tracks on the album, you'll find yourself humming the wailing "woahs" long after you stop listening to it.
The only song I couldn't stand was Girl Next Door, which Blaine gushes has "really glossy 80s production" and "a sax solo that could've featured on a Wet Wet Wet record". Maybe those earlier comments about not being foolish once you hit 21 were made a little too soon...
However, for the most part, this is a great collection of oddball pop that really does see the band maturing. I still wish Henry was touring with them, though.
8/10
John Brunskill