Album Of The Week: Los Campesinos! / Romance Is Boring

With a fluffy, heart-shaped cloud of nonsense (otherwise known as Valentine’s Day) looming on the horizon, the message ‘Romance Is Boring’ is probably one that quite a lot of us will need to hear. The unsettling thing is that this time we’re hearing it from the most unlikely of sources.

You see, there was a time not so long ago when Los Campesinos! ran the risk of being ever-so-slightly irritating. Their youthful cup of optimism was overflowing and making an awful mess all over our speakers. Did they clean it up? Of course not! They just sat back, smiled and continued to fire out chirpy songs full of xylophones and exclamation marks. How could they be so happy? It’s just not natural.

Yes, we know. Bah humbug.

But now the Welsh eight-piece is back. And they’re bitter. And you know what? They’re better than ever.

Whilst certainly embittered, it would be wrong to assume that LC! has suddenly developed an ‘edge’ – because they haven’t. Romance Is Boring is simply a catalogue of break-up songs, each recounting a scenario or moment from a troubled relationship through a veil of witty observations and the occasional football metaphor.

The band has undoubtedly paid more attention to the lyrics this time around and the album benefits as a result. Lines like “I think we need more post-coital and less post-rock / Seems like the build-up takes forever, but you never get me off” will sting the ears of those who broke your heart, whilst providing light relief – and the occasional insult – for the recently single.

In fact, if you do happen to be single this Valentine’s Day, just remember this: romance is boring… and this album is more exciting than strapping dynamite to your trousers and standing near an open flame.