On their second album "Cotton Crown", The Tubs take their ridiculously catchy jangle-pop into darker and more personal territory. The London band still have a knack for bright guitars and immediate melodies, but this time the musical range stretches considerably further, from soulful pub rock and melancholy pop to bursts of Huesker Due-style aggression.

Singer Owen Williams remains at the centre of it all, with a voice that brings British folk-rock to mind and lyrics full of anxiety, failed relationships, self-doubt and very dry humour. The contrast works beautifully: some pretty bleak subject matter wrapped inside songs that are bursting with hooks. Guitarist George Nicholls moves between chiming Marr-like jangle, folk-rock and muscular power pop, while the rhythm section keeps everything moving at a wonderfully frantic pace.

The closing "Strange" is the album's most personal moment, dealing with the awkward aftermath of the suicide of Williams' mother, folk musician Charlotte Greig, without turning it into an overly sentimental statement. It's indicative of what makes "Cotton Crown" work so well: thoughtful and occasionally uncomfortable songs disguised as joyous guitar pop.

A big step forward from "Dead Meat" - smart, melodic British indie rock with plenty of jangle, power pop and punk energy.