Of Monsters and Men: Beneath the Skin | Album Review

If the 2011 debut from Of Monsters and Men was a bright- eyed, bushy-tailed introduction to the Icelandic band, then the follow-up is its sullen, perennially difficult teenage sibling.

You won't find any singalongs like their mega-hit Little Talks here; when this collection isn't busy being mean and moody, it's simply dreary.

The quintet stick rigidly to a blueprint of solemn, tumbling drums and shimmering guitars that build to blustery choruses, their dual vocalists sounding more bored than the listener.

The intense throb of Thousand Eyes is more ear-catching, but the album never really expands on theme or tone, staying in the sluggish same gear throughout.

Experimentation is healthy – but if your strength lies in upbeat, radio-friendly numbers, you should probably play to it.

[ ofmonstersandmen.com ]