The Go! Team - 'Proof Of Youth' (Memphis Industries) Released 10/09/07

'Thunder, Lightning, Strike' was just one of those debut albums which you never in a million years expected to be matched by its successor. Shown on one BBC advert after another, every song became almost too much of a hit commercially but when listening back to it, two years after its release, you realise how very much you miss The Go! Team. Let's not sit in misery though, as they'd be no point. They're back after all! And so they return with a comeback album full of jerky dance-offs and vocally-dominated summer anthems, all very predictable, no? Well there are a few surprises; the record contains just two instrumentals, features male vocals and has a less happy-go-lucky attitude than usual, which sets the theme this time around.

'Proof of Youth' opens with 'Grip Like A Vice', in what could be conceived as a mess with samples once against scattered from head to toe – a trick which they used last time, the trick works its magic again. Ninja's rhymes are dominant, controlling all proceedings, something which she applies in almost every song, saving it from falling into an average state.

The summery state that we discovered in their debut doesn't jump out as much in this record. Despite 'Doing It Right's ability to make you want to play volleyball, wear sandals with socks and drink cider, the rest of the album's outlook is more pleasant than perky. The coat that it wears is bright and bubbly, yet when listening to both records in succession it's easy to pick out the one that makes you wear a summer-smile more. Comparisons aside though, the band haven't failed in making an album full of distinguishable tracks which you can hum in your head, 'Keys To The City' contains the usual heart-warming horns and the cheerleading chants, but a heavy base to the song makes it more unique and exciting than anything else on 'Proof Of Youth'. The summer feel goes large, highlighting the influence of hometown Brighton and everything that comes with it.

It's not just a huge dance competition though, 'My World', despite being annoyingly repetitive and lengthy, lets out a whimper of folk and 'Flashlight Fight', containing the one-off male vocals from Public Enemy's Chuck D, has a predictable hip-hop presence. Despite the latter song's charms though, the moments which they try and reinvent their sound are the weaker times. Nevertheless, it's still the sound of a band progressing, reaching new heights, preparing themselves for something special, because it's definitely on the cards.

Despite not jumping around for joy due to success too much, their return has been longed for. It's not like there's nothing else to dance to these days but there's still nothing quite like letting yourself go to the sound of 2 drum kits. Brighton's favourites haven't let any of their success go to their head; they haven't sat back and waited for a great second record to come to them. Every ounce of energy has gone into this from each of six members. Let's just hope they get what they give once more.