Hurts - 'Happiness' (Sony) Released 06/09/10

A lot's been made of Theo Hutchcraft and Adam Anderson, better known collectively as Hurts. They look dapper, they talk the talk, they probably even smell like the inside of a Gucci aftershave bottle. But what do they sound like? Well, if debut album ‘Happiness’ is any indication, the answer, disappointingly, is often unintelligible.

There are flashes of intrigue throughout, such as the seedy Human League-esque tale of Susie and her optimism in ‘Wonderful Life’, for instance, or the duo’s intriguing collaboration with Kylie Minogue on ‘Devotion’. But the polished effect frequently sounds more boy band than edgy indie stars from Manchester.

After months of anticipation, it's just not what we expected from the stylish duo. ‘Blood, Tears and Gold’ mimics Sam Sparro pop tendencies, which is never a good thing. And Hutchcraft’s vocals are so crisp that on ‘Stay’ they seemingly have more in common with East 17’s warbling than just the name. There's even a choir in the background.

More suited to a 12-year-old's pop catalogue than a credible Joy Division fan’s collection, Hurts, in their current format, are falling short of all the promise that was ignited after the release of their pulsating debut track ‘Better Than Love’. It’s definitely not the experimental 1980s vibe we were experiencing after the initial hype.