Mystery Jets // First Listen

Mystery Jets
‘Serotonin’
(Rough Trade)

Mystery Jets’ third album ‘Serotonin’ follows the ramshackle singalongs of their debut ‘Making Dens’ and the glistening pop-fuelled ‘Twenty One’. Gone is the dad, boyish ruggedness and tangled melodies – in their place is a brash, bold collection of anthemic, yacht-pop ballads. Aided by The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Roxy Music, Paul McCartney and Pulp producer Chris Thomas, ‘Serotonin’ is their most gallant effort to date, packed to the brm with fully formed, singalong hits.

‘Alice Springs’
A tinkling fade-in slowly eases you into what’s to become an exhilarating album opener. Blaine’s echoing vocals melancholically resound as he sings “Freedom is an illusion/Generated by your brain” until stadium rock drums crash and layered vocals blast, “I’d stand in the line of fire for you/I’d bend over backwards for you/I’d do anything you want me to do” alongside a choir of “ahhhhhs” which resonates euphorically in the background. A defiant and  bold showcase of their new expansive sound.

‘It’s Too Late’
Kicking off with Fleetwood Mac ‘Little Lies’-inspired synths, Blaine sings the sad tale of “the apple of my eye”, before repeating “it’s too late”. Packed with tonnes of ironic power keys riffs and “oooh-waa-oohs”, the sincerity of the lyrics dilute some of the brashness of the orchestration. The combination of sweet synths and croonsome lyrics would be matched perfectly with a log fire wearing, roll necks and a soft focus camera; there’s even a key change moment worthy of a Christmas Number 1.

‘The Girl Is Gone’
Re-introducing a more familiar Mystery Jets sound, ‘The Girl Is Gone’ has an almost Police-esque drum beat to it, injected with a dose of saccharine vocals. “I was wrong thinking that I’d be strong/always wanting more”, ‘The Girl Is Gone’ is a painful realisation of the end of a relationship and one of the more modest songs on the album.

‘Flash A Hungry Smile’
A glam rock-styled sound fizzes through your ears as whimsical guitars chime in as well as some playful “wooo-ooohs” on ‘Flash A Hungry Smile’. The whistle lead verses are a mischievous addition to the so far melancholic driven songs, helped along with buzzing kazoos. It’s a pretty nostalgic, elated addition to the album.

‘Serotonin’
Whispering vocals introduce the album’s title track, before the bombastic chorus chimes, “Felt like I was floating/Now I’m coming down with you so hard.” 80s keyboards dart throughout, and the end of the song breaks down with the vocals at the forefront as the band seccure a new sing-along moment to their set as they chant, “sero-serotonin”.

‘Show Me The Light’
Sounding like the start of, erm, Whigfield’s ‘Saturday Night’, bouncing keys are met with defiant vocals on ‘Show Me The Light’: “Show me the light/And tell me that things will turn out right/Remember the night/How we would hold each other tight”. Cowbells chime, bells ring and drums build to a moment of peaceful clarity before shimmering keys ignite the song for its final chorus.

‘Dreaming Of Another World’
Clanging indie guitars start off ‘Dreaming Of Another World’ before an abrasive glittering synth takes the song to a shimmering, optimistic feeling. ‘In The Morning’ Razorlight-esque guitars jangle until the end of this upbeat track.

‘Lady Grey’
With a Kinksy riff, ‘Lady Grey’ is a big guitar driven song, “Lady Grey/You know how to rub me up the right way”. With the questioning chorus, “Will you still love me in the morning?”, this song is by far one of the catchiest on the record.

‘Waiting On A Miracle’
A dirgey sounding intro, ‘Miracle’ begins with Pixie-like guitars before being elevated with sweeter vocals, “Do you ever wonder if the love that you are feeling/Comes from the bottom of your heart or if you’re just dreaming?” The chorus comes with a bold, anthemic guitar and crashing drums resulting in a emotionally driven rock hit, as Blaine sings “I think you’re waiting for a miracle/And who knows how long it will take”.

‘Melt’
Jubilant Passion Pit-styled keys chime whilst tribal drums beat, and layers of vocals saunter in for one of the best songs on the album. As the band sing “All I want to do is melt, melt, melt, melt into you”, you can imagine the boys serenading blushing girls in the front row. Swoon.

‘Lorna Doone’
A Doves’ ‘Cedar Room’-esque slow build starts this epic album closer. A desperately emotive, crashing and sombre orchestration is met with Blaine’s pained vocals “I wish I could say I’d believe this is goodbye/But I don’t”. A truly triumphant end to a grand, eclectic third album.

‘Serotonin’ will be reviewed in a future issue of The Fly.