Nobody is more familiar with the 'difficult second album' concept than The Futureheads. Although 'News and Tributes' was a mini-triumph when it came to musical scope, growth and progression, sales failed to reflect that, and they were subsequently released from their contract with Warner subsidiary 679 Recordings.
If anything, though, label hassle has fortified the Sunderland quartet. This Is Not the World is the first release on their own label, Nul Records, and it's probably their most cohesive yet. Although many of the tracks here were written before their label woes, there's a sense of hearty determination that wasn't as apparent on their initial records.
Songwriting-wise, it's similar in tone and delivery to their previous two albums: opener The Beginning of the Twist is one of the most fabulously addictive tracks they've written to date, supplying a heady dose of melodrama over those trademark harmonies; Radio Heart's rock 'n' roll sensibility jerks and bumps like a drunken dodgem, and Sleet's short, sharp bursts of poppy guitar will simply refuse to stop nagging until you're on the dancefloor.
There's even room for experimentation here, too, as Hard To Bear sees Barry Hyde and co. try something a little different: it's an introspective, drum-heavy paean to a broken heart that sounds like Arcade Fire meets.. err, The Futureheads. "Your bedclothes still stink of her stale perfume," sings Hyde in that wonderfully accented croon, "But you hope the smell doesn't vanish too soon."
This Is Not the World sees The Futureheads consolidate their reputation as brilliant songwriters - the ability to knit melodies that swerve left, right and centre with songs you can dance the night away to, doesn't come easily. What's more, they've never sounded as comfortable in their own skin as they do here.
