Bouncing back from the departure of bassist/vocalist Neil Mulholland, The LaFontaines have released Junior, their third studio album – and first as a trio. Jamie Keenan’s ascension to lead singer marks a new direction in the group’s sound, with his vulnerable style standing in stark contrast to Gerard’s pop-punk growlings. He blends well with rapper Kerr Okan’s thick, Scottish flow, resulting in a unique guitar-driven sound that works to stunning effect on tracks like ‘Switch Out The Light’ and ‘Body’.

The album’s musical palette is impressively expansive. Synthesizers and sound-effects build fascinating and diverse atmospheres for each song, while the interplay between Keenan and Okan is genuinely thrilling.

In terms of songwriting chops, Junior packs plenty of metaphors and puns. The lyrics occasionally take a cheesy turn, with couplets like “Should have studied on her heart/Now I’m failing all my essays” not exactly in the Leonard Cohen league.

That said, for the most part Junior is built on rich, anthemic foundations. Other highlights include ‘Anything At All’, with its uplifting chorus and brilliant guitar melodies, as well as the powerful ‘Tomorrow Won’t Worry Me’. Entertaining.

Out now.

https://open.spotify.com/album/5uoBOeHIxSbWxXitbj1e1U