Following a six-year studio album hiatus - which could be seen in dog years in recording terms - indie-rock Londoners Mystery Jets are about to put their collective heads above the parapet once more with their seventh offering, A Hole To See The Sky Through. Rough Trade played host to the band for the Nottingham date of their promo tour...
Arriving in Notts on a blessedly cooler Sunday night, the quartet saunter on stage after what has already been a long day for them. Up at 4am to appear on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch show, thankfully their energy levels show no sign of wavering during their 40-minute set.
Led by curly-topped frontman Blaine Harrison and watched on by proud dad and sometime band member Henry, the quartet kick-off with propulsive oldie, Serotonin, before unleashing a smattering of tracks from their new Fiction Records release.
The title track is a gorgeously rich and sonorous opener reminiscent of 1990s’ indie outfit Geneva, while the intro to the slow lament, Domesday Waltz, sparks much mirth when Harrison explains they first aired it in Southampton a few days before just as the Government alert hit everybody’s phones - "Quite appropriate really!"
For Long Lonely Road, guitarist Ollie Taylor takes on vocal duties and his sweet, higher-pitched range coupled with lyrics documenting the power to overcome unwanted solitude, is very affecting.
Following this more insular, thought-provoking section, the four-piece implore the crowd to join in and dance before unleashing older hits Bubblegum and the joyously infectious Two Doors Down before they disappear to sign autographs, take selfies and catch up with their fans on the other side of the venue.
Inspired by a piece of art by Yoko Ono - who has granted permission for them to feature it on their album cover - A Hole To See The Sky Through is definitely more mature and reflective on this evidence and we can look forward to hearing it in full very soon.
Mystery Jets performed at Rough Trade on 16 August 2026. Their new album is released on 21 August.
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