The latter track is a smooth jam to complement Trimble's deliciously euphoric falsetto singing. 'Blue Light' is a punchy funk-rock number to carry the momentum whilst hip movers 'Everybody's Cool' and 'Little Piggy' slower the pace to great groovy effect.
Throughout Keep On Smiling there's a distinctive and fun electro-funk vibe running throughout.
In fairness, this boldness works to their credit. Opener 'Messenger AD' is an intense sci-fi inspired opening so far removed from their guitar-pop origins you're left wondering if it's in fact the same band you're listening to. They haven't been afraid to collaborate either, with additional production coming from Jacknife Lee (Bloc Party, The Killers) and Dan Grech-Marguerat (Lana Del Rey, George Ezra). Two Door Cinema Club's fifth studio album was written and produced by the band both during and coming out of lockdown. The results are pleasantly surprisingly: infectious and colourful tunes that reveal a more electronic sound progression yet still maintain a level of dancefloor immediacy. This, of course, is achieved by going in without expectation. Where second album Beacon (2012) felt underwhelming when released so soon after their debut, Keep On Smiling does, in fact, achieve the opposite. As evidenced by recent headline slots at Nos Alive (Portugal) and Benicassim (Spain), the trio are now regarded as a top tier band and it's those early tunes that by far gather the best reaction. The only problem is when we think of the band, often our minds are immediately drawn to their timeless debut: most of their other work doesn't get a look in. Twelve years later and little has changed: TDCC are as big as ever.
As a result of their success, singer Alex Trimble was even selected to sing at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. Bops like 'What You Know', 'Undercover Martyn' and 'You Can Talk' had snippets constantly played on our television screens and they'd become favourites at many a nightclub to rival the musings of The Killers and Arctic Monkeys. By 2012, it felt like their tunes were everywhere.
Not bad for three guys who initially had the mickey taken out of them by the music press for their perceived geek-chic, librarian personas. Over the next couple of years, they'd establish themselves as one of the most in demand bands in the indie scene, both in the Europe and North America. Live Review: Two Door Cinema Club at Kingston Pryzm, London,
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