Typical is new single Changing of the Seasons, a plaintive yet upbeat flurry of jangling hooks and swooning synths over which keening singer Alex Trimble tells an ex-lover that his life has got far happier since she dumped him. So adept are they at writing killer melodies that it's no surprise so many Two Door songs have found their way on to TV ads, film soundtracks and video games. Sleek, glistening set opener Sleep Alone unfolds here at a pitch of euphoria that appears scarcely sustainable, and yet the pace hardly drops all night. When it does come through, “Sleep Alone”’s vocals feel like a snug fit for the song’s mood.Their musical formula is similarly straightforward: giddily frantic songs that unfold around a rush of itchy indie guitar, embellished with fevered electronics and soaring choruses. “Sleep Alone” is another track that’s pushed along more by its instrumental sound than its vocals Trimble’s voice is as appealing as ever, but it’s often bowled over by the background noise. It’s repetitive in nature-almost to a fault-but its melody is intricate enough to keep your attention. Every breath feels confident and controlled.īeacon gets back on its feet with its quicker tunes, found in the ever-charming “Someday” and the fast-tempoed “Sleep Alone.” “Someday” is a hard track to skip over. In “Wake Up,” he stretches his words until each syllable collapses into the next. The tone of each song is often steady, but not always the same in its approach Trimble isn’t afraid to play with his words. “Ocean blue, what have I done to you?” he begins, leading into the album’s slowest track.

On “Sun,” he is suddenly soft and uncertain. “If you think of me, I will think of you,” sings Alex Trimble shyly.

Tracks like the opener, “New Year,” still sport the band’s cheery tone, but have a new element of sweetness. Where Tourist History’s every song was overflowing with hyper energy, Beacon takes the time to slow down. Now the band is back with Beacon, and the album is anything but a sophomore slump. Indie-rock trio Two Door Cinema Club’s 2010 debut had all the makings of a pop-perfect album each song was a pleasant combination of clear, upbeat vocals and irresistible rhythms. Tourist History is a tough act to follow.

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