Clap Clap Riot have a proven knack with a catchy pop song.

The trio’s skill with melody, rhythm, and sonic architecture is stamped all over their new third album ‘Dull Life’ is anything but.

From the opening chug of Rising In The Street, and wiry guitar line of Tired Of Getting Old, ‘Dull Life’ doesn’t loosen its grip on the senses, pulling the listener along with it. ‘70s influences are everywhere here, in the synth lines of Curtis Pickett and Better Than You; in the fuzz guitar of Rising In The Street, and in the ELO-style power-pop of Crickets In The Grass.

However, the retro shades are not the only charms of this hook-filled album. When the inevitable come-down happens, on the lovely and introspective Dull Life, the melody sweeps over the muted arrangement, underscored by the low-key vocal delivery. It’s not all sunshine and power-chords: lyrically, ‘Dull Life’ has an air of unhappiness in some tracks, and in Help Me unrestrained desperation.

Expertly produced by Tom Healy, with walls of sound, and quiet spaces surrounding the songs when required, ‘Dull Life’ ticks all the boxes for a modern classic guitar-based alt-pop/rock album brimming with melodic, hook-filled songs. Essential.