Album Review: The Horrors, Skying

The Horrors.

There's nothing remotely horrible or terrifying about British band the Horrors. Not any more.

Gone are the panda eyes and the bruising, gnawing punk-meets-goth of their 2007 debut Strange House and the pointed psychedelia of follow-up Primary Colours.

Now their palette blends pastels and aerated emotion to create the sort of smooth, rousing pop-rock heard around London in the 1980s.

Opening with Changing the Rain, vocalist Faris Badwan throws clean, rich vocals into the boundless energy of the melody to create something more spectacular than spooky, and a sound that, unlike previous angular releases, would fill stadiums.

There's still something funereal about the backing vocals, and I Can See Through You manages to drum up some of the cynicism of previous releases before galloping through another anthemic chorus.

The party takes a breather to the steady brass of Endless Blue, before revealing the garage rock centrepiece. Then there's the rustle of the long, restless track Moving Further Away, which pounds along in a meditative state that soars through galaxies with its feet firmly on the ground.

Pained, warped reality sets in for Monica Gems and the band's final statement Oceans Burning squeals as it reaches an indie-rock utopia. Meanwhile single Still Life is one of those spine-tinglers that urges listeners to see the world differently. It's beautiful and moreish.

Stars: 4/5
Verdict: Relaxing their frown muscles
Buy Skying

- TimeOut