Ciel - Make It Better

‘Somebody’ is such a blistering introduction to a record - in this case, the second EP from Brighton-based newcomers Ciel - that it’s all too easy to get hopes up for more of the same. A power pop riff and almost effortless earworm of a chorus, it’s as if it’s been plucked right from the post-Britpop era. Yet while the outfit’s knack for a hook remains - particularly on closer ‘Jealousy’ - the execution leaves the remainder a little lacking. The drums may lean industrial, or at least in the vague direction of Butch Vig - but they lack impact, as if a hazy filter is dampening the view (or one’s forgotten to remove sunglasses when returning indoors).The riff that threatens to give the title track an injection of adrenaline too, never quite hits the right gear on an otherwise catchy song. There’s promise aplenty, of course, and that opener is stellar.