Three years on from second LP ‘Portamento’, ‘Encyclopedia’ offers a reimagining of The Drums’ fey, nervous, stonewashed ’80s sounds that have been aped by far too many bands since their own 2010 debut.
Gone are the sunshine melodies and catchy, throwaway tracks. Instead, things are more austere, more serious, more Joy Division than New Order: “I don’t want to die alone by the campfire,” from the twee ‘US National Park’ is, believe it or not, one of the more upbeat lines to be found here.
Despite some pleasingly anthemic moments like ‘I Can’t Pretend’ and ‘There Is Nothing Left’, on the whole ‘Encyclopedia’ is a bit of a misanthropic drag.
6/10
Words: Mat Smith
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