We Were Promised Jetpacks - In the Pit of the Stomach

(Fat Cat)

The main challenge for Scottish noiseniks these days is to not sound like Biffy Clyro, something We Were Promised Jetpacks achieve with aplomb on this accomplished second album. There are echoes of Interpol and even The Skids on the likes of opener ‘Circles and Squares’ and ‘Medicine’, all jerky rhythms and shredding guitars and, as the album progresses, it gets darker, weirder and more interesting.

‘Act on Impulse’ takes its time getting to a compelling climax à la Frightened Rabbit, while ‘Sore Thumb’ and closer ‘Pear Tree’ crank up the epic to teeth-rattling levels. Not groundbreaking, but an impressive racket nonetheless.