Cut Copy

When Cut Copy released sophomore album In Ghost Colours in 2008, they were simply a rising band looking to capitalize on four years of touring the world. Little did they know they would become a crossover phenomenon. Zonoscope bridges the gap between albums in half the time of their first two and immediately, you can hear that the Aussies are hoping to keep the party going. "Take Me Over" certainly does the job, with speaker-rattling polyrhythms and a riff nicked straight from Fleetwood Mac's "Everywhere," as does "Corner of the Sky," with its bombastic 4/4 beats. But like its predecessor, Zonoscope is an album about exploring their many influences. "This Is All We've Got" is steered by arena-sized drums and shoegaze noise, and "Alisa" surrounds a lingering chorus with the same kind of orchestral fanfare as idols ELO. The transition from Bright Like Neon Love to In Ghost Colours felt like a giant artistic leap; unfortunately, Zonoscope doesn't achieve the same growth for the band. However, even though album number three fails to show much progress, this is a solid lateral move that finds Cut Copy reminding fans of their greatness.