Photo: Chris Chadwick
Mystery Jets take to the stage tonight to play one of their biggest shows since ending a three-year hiatus in January.
New album, Curve of the Earth, found the band in more introspective form that the previous four records. It's a quality collection, but undoubtedly a slower burn than fans are used to. That contradiction is highlighted tonight as new songs 'Telomere' and '1985' fail to ignite the atmosphere, so when old favourites like 'Half In Love With Elizabeth' are trotted out the sense of emotional release is palpable.
This isn't to say the new songs aren't up to the standard of the old. And of course it's only natural for tracks from an album released only a month ago to meet with a cooler reception than others that have had years to find their way into fans' affections.
The trick bands have to pull off in any transition period is to bed the newer songs in with the old, so that the momentum is never truly lost. There's a sense tonight that the Mystery Jets don't quite get this right. Playing couplets of songs from Curve of the Earth leads to noticeable dips in energy. Even guitarist Will Rees appears to acknowledge this when he promises they'll be back in a few months when the album and the comeback has grown stronger.
The encore is a timely reminder of just how good Mystery Jets are when they're good. A rare but very welcome outing for 'You Can't Fool Me Dennis' and a rapturous 'Two Doors Down' ramp up things up to the next level. And by the time an emotionally-charged 'Flakes' sees strangers fully embrace each other earnestly and without inhibition, and thoughts of a mid-set lull are firmly behind us.
Mystery Jets will triumph with their new album. Fans will take it to their hearts. But tonight is possibly just a little early to either of these things to carry the band along to the next big phase of their career.
