Album Review: The Naked & Famous - In Rolling Waves

Those tuning into record number two for NZ's The Naked & Famous and hoping for more of the same featured on their runaway successful debut Passive Me, Aggressive You might be a little taken aback. For what's happening here is we're truly witnessing a young and tremendously talented outfit growing up. Their tones are moodier and their songwriting has matured spectacularly.

Each song begins with minimal instrumentation and builds beautifully in its own unique way. It's actually remarkable how a 'formula' as such can remain quite original throughout. Opener A Stillness is the older, wiser sequel to (previous hit) Young Blood, starting with little more than an acoustic guitar strum that eventually is built upon to a steady electro throb. Preceding single Hearts Like Ours mirrors the formula but perhaps invites a little of the youthful naivety the band is known and adored for while upping its anthemic ideals to just the right level. The Mess builds the pace a little and, if possible, sharpens the hooks even further.

The Naked & Famous haven't changed, they've grown. Older, wiser and now incredibly tour-smart, you can sense the band making songs that they will want to play onstage, slightly more organic than their debut. In Rolling Waves is one to file under 'moody electro' alongside the likes of The xx and, while it probably doesn't have the outright smashes boasted on their debut, it feels as if this one will offer The Naked & Famous some well-earned longevity.