LOST FRIENDS

Middle Kids have been tantalising fans for the past two years with singles such as Edge of Town and Mistake that brimmed with relatable lyrics and catchy choruses. So it is no surprise that the band's debut album sports much the same glee, via blasts of indie rock, elegiac piano ballads and pop-like anthems. The 12 songs open with Bought It, which showcases the strong vocal range of front-woman Hannah Joy, underpinned by a gentle hum of acoustic guitar. The album picks up pace with the driving sound of On My Knees, a song about unity, that is backed by a punchy, percussive beat. Then the instruments are stripped back for Hole, a short yet powerful piece that begins with the calmness of repetitive piano chords, Joy's legato vocals and subtle, elongated strings, and then gradually builds to an emotional release which sharply fades back into silence. Alongside the much anticipated unreleased tunes such as Lost Friends and Please are the much loved singles that brought the trio to the surface. While Edge of Town is not new, its lonely wail of steel guitar, bouncing drum rhythm and lyrics about the mess of indecision fits perfectly on the debut album.