Going Backwards

Mixing indie rock with electronic pop seems an unmissable formula commercially, but creatively it’s produced some right old toss. For the less artistically inspired acts, it suggests little more than writing a bog standard tune for the less demanding indie-disco collective, slapping on some keyboards as an apparent afterthought and claiming a lifelong allegiance to any Cure track that isn’t Close To You.

Infadels scored numerous plaudits, not least from the late John Peel, and awards up to and surrounding the release of their debut album, We Are Not The Infadels. For many, they seemed to be the heirs apparent to XTRMNTR-era Primal Scream. To use an already tired allegory, their sophomore release is more akin to Riot City Blues in the quality stakes.

Infadels seemed to have embraced the art of slapping keyboards onto otherwise mediocre tunes, which lends Universe a slight glittering infectiousness it doesn’t deserve. Lead single Free Things For Poor People is a catchy little number but sounds like a Killers outtake, while Make Mistakes may be the most tedious song to ever get a crowd jumping.

The cover art may hint at some insightful commentary contained within but that particular train of thought derails two minutes out of the station. Instead it’s merely dumb and loud but, to paraphrase Chuck Klostermann, being a dumb loud pop band is miles better than being a dumb loud indie band. The glitzy sheen of Universe thus earns it a speck of credit, no matter how begrudging.

The release of this album at the start of festival season is a shrewd move, as Infadels are a decent enough soundtrack to glowsticks, oppressive commercialism and overpriced beer. Universe may see the band make the transition from dance tent to main stage but, as any discerning fan knows, the tents are usually where the real talent is found.