After the symphonic ‘space-rock’ of 2009’s ‘Resistance’, flamboyant late-’80s/early-’90s dance-rock influence and sombre fairy-tale pop dictate proceedings, giving mass appeal to this largely upbeat offering. Opening track ‘Supremacy’ is gold; solid riffage, orchestral ‘Bond’ feel and choral crescendo lunacy. ‘Pop’ aesthetics throwback to U2 circa ‘Zooropa’ (squelchy electronics in ‘Madness’), INXS (bass line hook of floor filler ‘Panic Station’) and even The Pet Shop Boys (dancey anthemic vibe of ‘Follow Me’), with the dubstep inspired ‘Unsustainable’ likely to impress Skrillex himself. Bellamy’s relishing the majorly theatrical performance, falling somewhere between ‘full-on Bono’ and Danny Elfman. Typically rich, but this time, a playful outing.

7/10

Words by KATE BLOWER