[9/10]
It’s been four years since Scottish three-piece The Xcerts released their widely popular sophomore album Scatterbrain. In the meantime, they have toured extensively with bands such as Brand New and Kevin Devine. Understandably, the band decided to take more time writing their third album in order to create the best work possible. But the wait is over, and the resulting album, There Is Only You, has certainly proved worth it.
Like their previous albums, There Is Only You starts off with a short instrumental track entitled ‘2.12.12.’ The band then launch into the insanely catchy ‘Live Like This.’ ‘Shaking In The Water,’ which was released as a single over the summer, has a 60s pop rock sound complete with crooning harmonies. One of the absolute standouts is ‘Kick It,’ which manages to sound upbeat and dancey while discussing a relationship gone bad. On the final (and title) track, front-man Murray McLeod’s voice sounds very fragile while he sings, “there is only you / and I know that it’s true / I can feel it in my bones / we must sink before we float.” It starts off quiet with just piano and vocals, before the whole band join in to bring it closed.
The four-year gap between albums seems to have helped The Xcerts mature as a band. On There Is Only You, The Xcerts sound like a band that have a clear sense of who they are and what kind of music they want to make. There isn’t a weak track on the album; it is absolutely brimming with infectious guitar hooks and sing-a-long-able choruses. Overall, this is their most solid effort to date and already one of the top albums of 2014. It’s safe to say we can only expect more great things from the Xcerts in the future.
The Xcerts were originally set to play Birmingham this week. Unfortunately for some, the band have post-poned their own headline tour to go out in support of Twin Atlantic around Europe. But, they have assured fans that those headlining shows will be re-scheduled.
