Heard Jimmy Eat World before? Surely you have! You know, that song that goes “It just takes some time, little girl. You’re in the middle of the ride elephant. Elephant!” Yeah well, that’s what I thought the lines were at the time. This time however I have their new album “Chase This Light” complete with song lyrics so I never have to fear karaoke again. I’ve always liked Jimmy, never really thought too much about them but hey the music was interesting enough to bop along to.

So now with their sixth album and almost 15 years together, what can we expect from a band undoubtedly categorised into the emo column? If you liked Bleed American (circa 2001) the first half of this album will adhere to your expectations of J.E.W as an alternative rock band with a hint of the emo subculture looking over their shoulder, ready to pounce and claim another indie band.

It’s easy to dance and skank to, with catchy but ambiguous choruses, causing a somewhat slight misunderstanding of exactly the song means. But hey you listen and nod intently along like you completely empathise with lead singer Jim Adkins and yeah “there’s lots of smart ideas in books I never read/ when girls come talk to me I wish to hell I had”. Me too! However J.E.W have so much more to offer than simply emo-ness.

вЂElectable’ had that sequel to вЂThe Middle’ feeling, a buzzing rock song as well as вЂFeeling Lucky’. вЂGotta Be Somebody’s Blues’ made full use of the strings for an eerie moody atmosphere. Personal favourites came at the beginning and the end of the album. вЂBig Casino’ (first single from the album) and вЂBe Sensible’ (a bonus track and the only song without lyrics) were amazing bookends and yet could not be more dissimilar.