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Album reviews - Louis Tomlinson, Callum Beattie, MIKA, The Damned, Megadeth

This week's biggest album releases finds Louis Tomlinson hit his solo groove, The Damned toast 50 years with covers, Megadeth sign off in a fury, Callum Beattie punch the air heroically, while love is in the air for MIKA. Plus all the hottest tracks you should be streaming

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(Image: PR Pics)

ALBUM OF THE WEEK

LOUIS TOMLINSON / How Did I Get Here? ***

Of all the One Direction lads Louis has perhaps struggled the most to nail down a consistent solo identity, but album three is a huge leap forward.

Yes he clearly still loves his 90s indie rock, but theres an injection of contemporary pop know-how across 12 tracks which are bright, instantly hummable and imbued with sunshine. In a parallel 80s universe, On Fire is probably an Jason Donovan classic, Louis crooning: I was complacent, comfortably jaded to a girl who set me on fire; hopefully its not literal.

The hazy, alt-pop production works wonders on upbeat highlights Sunflowers, Last Night and Lazy which all sound tailor made for Jet2 holiday poolside speakers.

His voice has never been stronger too and it goes full Doncaster on Palaces, then dabbles in Red Hot Chili Pepper style funk rock during not-too-shabby, Jump The Gun. A party is being had throughout, save for the one time Louis gets real and lets his fans get closer during Dark To Light which reflects on absent loved ones. Going places at last.

[MIKA Hyperlove album]

Love is in the air MIKA Hyperlove album

MIKA / Hyperlove ****

A restless musical soul who can seemingly turn his hand to any style, its odd that Mikas never quite matched the mass pop appeal of his glorious debut, Life In Cartoon Motion...until now. Reunited with Empire Of The Suns sonic wizard Nick Littlemore, Hyperlove reflects on themes of connection (or lack of), unseen energies and radiates positivity throughout.

These are sci-fi lullabies that can transport the listener into alternate realities, the pulsating Modern Times sending you into an ever deepening hypnotic state, while Eleven is the musical embodiment of a fairground ride. Then theres the frivolous funk of Spinning Out, his musical medicine for modern problems, its also the closest Mikas come to replicating Grace Kellys sense of wild abandon and adventure. A brilliantly executed concept pop album, Hyperlove will have you dancing and crying at the same time.

[The Damned album]

The Damned toast 50 years

THE DAMNED / Not Like Everybody Else ***

Punks, Goths, psychedelic hippies and even pure pop fans have all fallen in and out of love with The Damned over the decades, and they still possess the power to confound. They have a talent for recording memorable covers that goes way back to their first single which was backed by a super-charged version of Help! by The Beatles.

Now theyve delivered an entire album of familiar classics to not only mark their 50th anniversary but champion founding member Brian James who passed recently. Robust renderings of Pink Floyds See Emily Play and You Must Be a Witch by The Weeds are put through The Damned blender and help fans dissect the blueprint for Brians melodic brand of rock. Theres even a sterling version of The Stones The Last Time taken from his final live performance. But make no mistake, the combo of Dave Vanians heroic croon and Captain Sensibles general unhinged-ness remain The Damneds prime calling card and theyre sounding as vibrant as ever.

[Callum Beattie album]

Callum Beattie album

CALLUM BEATTIE / Indi ***

Searching for something euphoric? Scotlands answer to Sam Fender has it in spades. Callum displays Herculean energy in the way he charges relentlessly through Two Pretenders, while Bed Is Burning possesses that communal, goose-pimple inducing quality Arcade Fire used to do so well.

Blending all the best bits of U2, Springsteen, Deacon Blue and more, this LP can be the soundtrack to a thousand good news moments, music to punch the air to like in a Tom Cruise movie. Sure it feels like youve heard parts of nearly every tune somewhere before, but Callum does it full-throttle with refreshing integrity and charm. Futile to resist, you cant help but get whisked along for the ride.

[Megadeth album]

The final Megadeth album

MEGADETH / Megadeth ***

A fond farewell to Dave Mustaines warriors who sign off in style and customary fury. Thrash happy opener Tipping Point highlights the bands ability to bamboozle your senses with speed and intensity across multiple tempos, the tom drums obliterating lugholes while Mustaine confronts his demons and naysayers.

A true celebration of his legacy and early influences, angry banger I Dont Care probably owes more to The Stooges than Zepelin, but complain at your peril as Mustaine growls: you can kiss my ass. We could probably do without proggy chuggers like Another Bad Day, but dont lose faith as Hey God! is an amusing heavy hymn to the big guy, and the band up the riff ante for thriller, Made To Kill. A fitting finale - if this really is to be their last album - the LP is bookended by a cover of Ride The Lightning, the metal classic he forged with his former Metallica band mates, now given a pleasingly fierce Megadeth makeover.

[Holly Humberstone is back]

Holly Humberstone is back

STREAM THIS WEEK

HARRY STYLES / Aperture

CHARLOTTE PLAN / Crybby Blue

LINDSEY TROY / Love Is Deeper

DERMOT KENNEDY / Funeral

Holy Humberstone / To Love Somebody

GIRL GROUP / SuperDrug

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