We Are Scientists - 'Brain Thrust Mastery' (Virgin) Released 17/03/08

‘Let’s See It’ echoes the words "I’ve realise that I’m just naturally inclined to go and let you down/ I’ve heard this argument made thousands of times/ I guess I get it now” which don’t see the band dabbling in any humour which has most of the time, been the case. A don’t-give-a-fuck hilarious portrayal outside of the music world will always be one of their strong points but the music has always been a punch bag for the more serious words Murray has to say. It’s difficult to imagine anybody being completely un-impressed after even half a listen of this record; its instantaneous impact does it many favours. But undoubtedly, the band are attempting to experiment with what they have and letting it lay down subtlety without anyone noticing too much.

‘Lethal Enforcer’ see synth take a place in proceedings along with another standout, ‘Chick Lit’, which for the record, is excessively camp. The pleasure in this record is that nothing stands out as pretentious, stupid or pointless. ‘Chick Lit’ in particular has one of the best chorus’ many will have heard from anybody since…well, ‘With Love and Squalor’ and it’s at this realisation that it sings true: This record will almost definitely make We Are Scientists a household name whether most want it or not. There’s enough diversity and enough spark in this record that it's nearly impossible to draw negatives out of.

It’s not even a predictable album, there isn’t a weak moment to pick at (where ‘That’s What Counts’ begins as an anticlimax, it turns into a joyous, 80’s influenced guilty pleasure of a closer), and everything is a hit in the making. We Are Scientists haven’t forced fame and fortune upon themselves either, but it’s a given that the mainstream is going to explode when it settles its eardrums upon this monster of a second album – as solid and exciting as it gets, ‘Brain Thrust Mastery’ is one of the music world’s biggest surprises in the last year.