Bedford’s finest breached the Top 30 with their 2012 debut’s blend of alt.rock and shiny pop – Busted crossed with Biffy Clyro and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Three years on, this second album is audibly designed to broaden their appeal. Presumably with an eye on the 1975’s success, they’ve ditched the heavier riffola for a new sound that feeds 80s pop through a radio-friendly filter, emerging as a machine-polished blend of Duran Duran and Level 42. It’s aspirational, thrusting stuff. “Determination! Have I got what it takes?” asks Rob Damiani, expecting an affirmative. And if not? “Keep on, keep on pushing!” If anything, the album tries too hard. There are lots of “ooh ooh ooh”s, moodily chugging guitars and keyboard motifs that could have soundtracked Miami Vice circa 1985. Automatic and Let You Get Away are naggingly catchy, but soulless, and if Don Broco’s original fans edge nervously away, Automatic will presumably make or break them.
