Album Review: The Magic Numbers - Alias

The Magic Numbers – two pairs of brothers and sisters one-upping sibling bands around the world – return with their fourth album. Leaving the twee sounds of their debut behind long ago, Alias often finds them sounding more worried than ever. If the track title Wake Up recalls the existential bombast of Arcade Fire, then its whining vocals and stretched-out indie malaise only confirm the similarity. The overwrought sense of drama thankfully doesn’t stick with the Brits for too long, as Thought I Wasn’t Ready brings a touch of soulful harmonies and E.N.D. lays down some bright disco strings.