Jason Tremain gives his verdict on the Kings of Leon album Only By The Night

Delivering almost an album a year since their 2003 debut, Youth and Young Manhood, the Kings of Leon have just released their fourth LP. A record which has taken things to a different place, going, if possible, for an even bigger sound than last offering, Because of the Times.

Opening with the rich and deeply haunting Closer followed by the drawling vocals of Crawl, with its distant thunderstorm of reverbing guitars, the stage is set and the plan clear. They want it all. And they ram home their intention with the monolithic first single Sex on Fire melting faces, hearts and other body parts across the land, it appears they intend to take it.

Their blatant sexuality and hedonistic outlook appeals to lads and lasses the length and breadth of the land.

Yet the USA remains fairly impassive to their native sons’ efforts. Perhaps the hell-raising history and raw back catalogue fail to inspire. The boys’ homeland has embraced the likes of U2 and Coldplay and have made it clear they prefer a polished idol to kneel before.

With Only by the Night, Kings of Leon have delivered this in spades. With an abundance of flawless production and sounds seemingly straight from the ‘stadium anthem handbook’ the whole ambience is a “honey we’re home” to their birthplace.

Newest release Use Somebody is big yet decidedly desolate and lacks the raucous energy of older tracks. Have the Kings sold out? The subtleness and rawness has definitely gone along with the sense of sexualised spontaneity.