Mystery Jets are an indie band that have operated under my radar for some time but, thanks to their billing under the Libertines, the Cribs et al at the Reading Festival - at which I was in attendance of course - I have recently forced myself to investigate further.
In doing so, I discovered Serotonin, an album chock full of the most wonderful, melodic pop songs I've heard in some time. The title track and 'Flash a Hungry Smile', in particular, are indie standards worthy of wider audiences, although, surprisingly, neither have been released as singles to date.
The tracks furnished with that prestigious status are 'Dreaming of Another World' and 'Show Me The Light', archetypal in demonstrating the Eel Pie Islander's talent for crafting a catchy number and with such self-assured inventiveness as to send imaginations skyward.
In fact, Mystery Jets' penchant for a flight of fancy is very reminiscent of Super Furry Animals, especially on lines such as 'Have you heard the birds and bees/Have all caught STD's?' and, indeed, these moments, when the album shows the band's more eccentric side, are key to their success.
Elsewhere however, Serotonin does risk sounding like the work of just another indie also ran, bringing to bear further lovelorn malady on an industry already drowning in guitar driven drivel.
Yet overall, there's a tangible and infectious joie de vivre about the album which just avoids the tipping point into sentimentality, and even though some of the well-worn tales of heart break and loss offer little originality, it's impossible not to find yourself slipping into a jaunty reverie and simply enjoying the ride.
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