Klaxons - Love Frequency album review

It's been a few years in the making for Greenwich University drop-out Jamie Reynolds and his bandmates, but third album offering from the inbetweeners of rock/electronic pop Klaxons, has almost been swept under the carpet, wrongly.

Love Frequency is less indie than previous records, more focused, it's a cleaner record that knows what it wants. Some would argue that's diffused the charm from the band, yet the sound has evolved. Lead-single There is no other time, is pure funk, and it's a whole lotta fun. They remain true to their Nu-wave origins, and with the help of Gorgon City, have created one of the tracks of the year in my opinion - and the rest of the album is well worth delving into.

Klaxons welcomed a host of producers on this creation, including James Murphy, Erol Alkan and Chemical Brother James Murphy, and it shows, it's well produced, experimental and direct, without risky, unecessary hooks. It's less chaotic than previous Myths of the Near Future or Surfing the Void, but similarly to when reviewing Jamie T's latest record, an artists sound has to evolve to remain credible, or it's simply a futile, repetitve artistic attempt.

Opening track, A new Reality, is a pill-popping, synthy track that sets up the record perfectly and pretty much encapsulates what the record is all about. Children of the Sun (no this isn't a Tinie Tempah mess), an understated track, without pretentions. It does feel experimental at times throughout as a record, which only leads you to feel Love Frequency is a gateway to more from the Klaxons.

Rhythm of life is a bit more aggressive, a pacey track that'll have you feet-stomping in a muddy tent in the Summer. I think it sums too what I find endearing about the record. It's that they've rejected obvious melodies in favour of creating a sound that's uncompeted in the industry, that I admire. Again, Liquid Light, is somewhat psycadellic, and you sense coupled with their colourful artwork, in terms of live sets, something pretty special flourishes for fans.  Atom to Atom another daring track, that almost sounds like a remix of itself, propels you into the heart of a warehouse rave with it's undeniable references.

Whilst band-members have indicated their touring this year will be their last headline shows, remains to be seen, I don't feel this befitting closure to a band that I think have just proved they have more to offer. This a dynamic record, creating a world of colourful imagery, with dark undertones. You may need to give it a few listens, but the rewards are eye-opening and exciting.