Review: Two Door Cinema Club – ‘Are We Ready? (Wreck)’

Indie rock bands aren’t exactly known for being particularly out there with their music, remaining popular, safe, and drawing crowds at festivals. Often, they sound pretty samey. Album after album sound similar to each other, following a similar format each time. The first taste of Two Door Cinema Club’s upcoming Gameshow, ‘Are We Ready? (Wreck)’ just wasn’t what I was expecting to hear. The single starts with a simple riff and a choir of children – quickly becoming overused – in the background and carrying on throughout. It’s fairly generic, especially when Alex Trimble comes in with autotuned vocals.

Speaking with Annie Mac about their comeback, they revealed how it focuses on Trimble trying to find his place in his generation. The lyrics ooze dissatisfaction and frustration; a critique of people in a society from someone who is yet to be the same slave to technology that they are: “You should be comfortable / Just don’t think at all,” “The wars are whoring / All the stores are bored with your money,” and “We follow what’s to come / That’s what they sold to me” are all notable examples.

If you can get past the poppy synth and disappointingly bland sound, ‘Are We Ready? (Wreck)’ has some good lyrics and messages. It’s a song I can see being good for the middle of a festival set, or a filler song, or maybe good when it’s 2am and you’re drunk and want to dance, but nothing like a big hit from the boys. Unfortunately, it’s been four years since we last heard anything new from Two Door Cinema Club and I could have happily gone another four if it meant getting something better than this.

‘Are We Ready? (Wreck)’ is out now via Parlophone