The Subways

IT seems like every other song you hear is about romance but The Subways' new record is a bit of a twist on that.

The trio's fourth self-titled album channels the darker side of love through infatuation, game playing and control.

So the record takes you on a journey through a troubled relationship starting with the initial rush and basically going downhill from there.

Perhaps it is because of that burst of optimism that the first track, 'My Heart Is Pumping To A Brand New Beat', is by far the best.

This is the first album by the band to be engineered, produced and mixed by frontman Billy Lunn after previously working with the likes of Butch Vig and Ian Broudie over the last 10 years.

As such The Subways' sound has changed a bit with the trio opting for low-fi garage rock style.

Their aim was to capture the essence of their live shows and it works well in parts.

The angsty, punky song, 'Pet Boy', is one of the highlights which is about being trapped in a controlling relationship.

And the rhythm of 'We Get Around' might remind you of early Green Day.

But the trouble is that the album is lacking variety and the big riffs and energy which made their early hits like 'Rock & Roll Queen' and 'Oh Yeah' so appealing. One for the fans.

- The Subways play Manchester Academy 3 on March 24

DAVID MORGAN