VI

By their own admission, You Me At Six’s 2017 album Night People was a miss after the 2014 hit Cavalier Youth. With their sixth album, aptly titled VI, the pop-rock band makes amends. They sound stronger and more energised on tracks like “Straight to My Head” and “Danger”, both combustible mixes of alt-rock swagger and melody. When they stir in moody synths and danceable rock, like on “3AM” and “Fast Forward”, it’s as if they’re channelling their inner Nine Inch Nails. Then there are fluid nods to hip-hop (“I.O.U.”) and R&B (“Back Again”). Tying it all together is frontman Josh Franceschi, showing a feral hunger that propels You Me At Six back on the front foot.