Album Review: Metronomy - Love Letters

Simplicity has always been a virtue for Metronomy, but on Love Letters it hasn't worked in their favour; most tracks sound dreamy to the point of disappearing completely, the record playing out like a post-pill episode. They've peeled away a lot of percussive elements and pulled back the tempos greatly, but what it's done is leave us with an album that feels naked and uncomfortable, even when the tambourine is shaking.

Metronomy don't stick pound store lights on their T-shirts anymore and it's a shame, because this album – and the band, generally speaking – works best when it's at its weirdest and most quirky. The organ and keys dancing in the distance during the faux-R&B of I'm Aquarius for example, or Reservoir, a track that is just screaming for Wes Anderson to send Steve Zissou back out to sea. Love Letters sounds no better than when it's bouncing on the swirling pulsed beat of centrepiece track Boy Racers; for the most part though, it just lacks the groove that we've come to expect from the Devon four-piece. Metronomy have gotten cool, but by losing that endearing nerd element they've also lost a vital piece of who they are.

Fans that were captured by 2011's Mercury nominated album The English Riviera will be able to find enough continuation here to continue the love affair. However, if you discovered the group through their breakthrough 2008 record Nights Out, you'll have a hard time keeping the flame alight with Love Letters.