Home Counties - Humdrum

Home Counties have always leaned towards the playful, and their second album, 'Humdrum', is no exception. Produced by Al Doyle of Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem, it's full of wiry grooves and spiky synths. Sound catchy? It absolutely is.

The title-track is the clearest highlight. A nervy, hook-heavy song about self-sabotage and social awkwardness, it's impossible not to bop along. 'Meet Me In The Flatroof' is another winner – sharp, funny and built for joining in. 'Roundabout' works too, thanks to that nagging "up and down and all around" refrain.

'New Best Thing' swaggers with squelchy synths and a wink of indie-sleaze nostalgia. 'Spain' and 'When In Rome' slip by without leaving much of a mark, while 'Like That' drops the line "If nothing's meant to last, then what's the fucking point", somewhere between novelty and nihilism.

To be fair, 'Humdrum' isn't trying to be heavyweight. It's a brisk, fun listen, carried by hooks and humour. There are flashes of brilliance that show exactly what the band can do when everything clicks. Even if not every idea lands, there's enough charm here to keep you coming back.

Not a knockout, but definitely worth the spin.