Bland album brings you down

Exile is more sombre than their first album, with heavier, more down-tempo songs. Many of these are mostly instrumental, but the gaps between vocals are filled with interesting notes and rhythms. Mercy is a great example: between the words are pulsing basslines and wild, fluctuating melodic hooks.

One of the few highs is Only You, its memorable chorus underscored by a synthetic, repeating tune, and the minute-long instrumental mixing synth riffs and some bizarre, but hugely effective dissonance.

While the synths are a nice touch, not much else on Exile stands out. After a few tracks, you start to wonder when they'll stop being about love and start being about - well, anything else, really.