We Are Scientists: TV en Français review – more comedic than musically innovative

We Are Scientists might be better at comedy than new music. Online, their meme-like photos, absurdist Facebook posts and a silly YouTube video about their upcoming tour with Glasgow's Paws all point to a goofy and self-referential sense of humour. Somehow, this exuberance doesn't come across on their fourth album: TV en Français feels as if it's about six years too late. Remember Nine Black Alps from the mid-noughties? Return the Favour and Slow Down are reminiscent of that Manchester band's sound – all scuzzy guitars over strictly pop-structured songs. It's solid but predictable; Courage – short, sweet and peppered with crashing cymbals – stands out. Keith Murray and Chris Cain's vocal harmonies are still as tight as ever, flowing atop Sprinkles and Take An Arrow, but musically they sound in danger of stalling.