The Jezabels

Prisoner PIAS ****

Curiously, this Australian quartet have been compared to Fleetwood Mac, but you'd never think it from the epic swell of pop/rock on this, their highly anticipated debut (released at home last September). The Sydney act have been honing their trade since 2007, and it's been interesting to listen to the sonic trajectory. Gone are the naive attempts to assuage the naysayers; in their place is an often ballistic sense of dynamics that puts you in your place and makes you stay there. The album puts forward the case for crossover appeal – tracks such as Endless Summer, City Girl, Nobody Nowhere, Deep Wide Oceanand Try Colourmix radio friendliness and a lyrical base that references singer Hayley Mary's love of English writers (notably Virginia Woolf and Ann Radcliffe). Everyone's a winner: on-edge indie with a melodic, intelligent sweep has rarely sounded so belligerent and blissed out. thejezabels.com

Download tracks: Endless Summer, City Girl, Try Colour