Kodaline: Coming Up for Air | Album Review

Pilloried from the get-go for stepping into the shadow of Coldplay, Kodaline may have felt they never stood a chance, yet mainstream audiences have hardly begrudged them for it. It's true that their debut (In a Perfect World) was a safe haven for sincere lyrics, anthemic choruses and a certain sonic lightness of touch, but Coming Up for Air might just turn some of the naysayers around. It helps that Dublin producer Garret "Jacknife" Lee is on board to supervise, as there's a noticeable toughening up of approaches to songwriting and performance. The likes of Coming Alive, Ready and Caught in the Middle showcase a band eager to get stuck in (there's suitably gritty guitar shredding throughout), even if song titles such as Lost, Unclear and Autopilot will give their critics further cause to lock, load and take aim. kodaline.com