Arguably the best of the recent plethora of North-Eastern indie guitar groups, Maximo Park have a hard job in following up the brilliant Apply Some Pressure. The first taster from the upcoming second album proves that it's business as usual.
Admittedly, there's little sign of anything different here - from the opening drawl of synth to the rush of new wave-style guitar, all the elements that made Maximo Park such an exciting listen are still here. But if it ain't broke, why fix it? Paul Smith still inflects his vocals with that inimitable Geordie accent, while sounding like the most passionate man on earth. It zooms along at about 100mph, sounding utterly thrilling, but still retains that hint of melancholy as Smith sings about being "alone with my thoughts".
Like all the best Maximo moments, you can brood to it in your bedroom and also throw yourself across the nearest indie dancefloor. You know that old cliche of 'that difficult second album'? I don't think it'll be a problem here.
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