metronomy - nights out

‘On Dancefloors’, which, while oddly tinged with classic rock guitar, sounds like the inevitable end of a night, and the feverish "Back On the Motorway", deliver to a similarly high standard. The album, the band proclaim, is an attempt at a "soundtrack to a bad weekend", and this concept remains evident throughout; the quirky, lively melodies are delivered at arms length - the overall sound effectively reflects the sensation of trying and failing to get into a night out.

Why this makes for good listening is a mystery, but nevertheless it does. Needless to say, closing track "Nights Outro" wraps up the theme especially well; almost entirely acoustic except for a fuzzy white noise, it channels an end-of-the-club sensation that almost leaves you craving a kebab. On the whole, Nights Out is a well-rounded record that creeps up on you with its catchy lo-fi electro pop.

With a range of Eastern folk and classic rock influences, it manages to go that little bit further - to provide an intelligent electronic listening.