Mystery Jets A Hole To See The Sky Through

Tracks: A Hole To See The Sky Through I, Black Sage, Doomsday Waltz, Godrays, Flea Joint, Long Lonely Road, Soul River, Anaglypta, A Hole To See The Sky Through II

Label: Fiction


Mystery Jets has returned with A Hole To See The Sky Through, an album that feels like a genuine rediscovery of what makes them such an enduring proposition. Where their recent work sometimes felt weighed down by its own seriousness, this record finds a far more natural balance between reflection and exuberance, bringing back the melodic sparkle, wit and sense of adventure that first made the band so compelling.

There is a real warmth running through the album, but it never comes at the expense of momentum. The songwriting feels sharper, the arrangements more confident, and the band sound completely at ease when switching between shimmering indie-pop, psychedelic flourishes and those unmistakably British, arms-in-the-air choruses. Even when the mood turns wistful, there is a sense of optimism bubbling underneath.

What makes A Hole To See The Sky Through particularly satisfying is how effortlessly it reconnects with the best elements of Mystery Jets’ catalogue without simply trying to recreate the past. There are echoes of their technicolour pop years, but the production and songwriting give everything a fresh perspective. The melodies linger, the hooks land, and the performances have a looseness and energy that makes the whole thing feel alive.

Most importantly, this is a band sounding excited about being a band again. There is a generosity to the music that makes it difficult not to get swept along, whether it is a huge chorus, a gloriously chiming guitar line or one of those deceptively simple melodies that Mystery Jets have always done so well.

After a period where their brilliance could occasionally feel obscured, this is a very strong return to form. It is confident without being complacent, nostalgic without being stuck in the past, and full of the colour and character that made Mystery Jets so special in the first place. A welcome reminder that, at their best, few British indie bands can make melancholy sound quite so joyful.