Outta This World

But despite their heavier involvement, Outta This World isn't exactly a huge departure from its predecessor, focusing on both the ubiquitous urban-electro sound that has dominated the charts over the previous two years and schmaltzy acoustic R&B balladry inspired by '90s acts Boyz II Men and Jodeci. It's a safe move that will undoubtedly cement their position as one of the U.K.'s biggest acts, but halfway through its heavily Auto-Tuned, formulaic synth-heavy sound, you're praying for a flash of "Beat Again"-style inspiration or at least something that isn't afraid to move even slightly outside their comfort zone. Unfortunately, that never occurs. As glossily produced and energetic as the likes of "That's My Girl," "Better for You," and "Superhero" are, their repetitive nature renders them pretty much indistinguishable from one another. Indeed, the only distinctive moments on the entire album appear on the rather bizarre sampling of The Sound of Music on the derivative Usher-esque "The Club Is Alive" and the laughably contrived lyrics of "Work" ("To be honest, she's a goddess"). The Faithless-style trance riffs of the title track, the slick soulful Children in Need single "Love You More," and the techno-led stomper "Eyes Wide Shut" (which borrows heavily from Calvin Harris' "I'm Not Alone") provide the album's few highlights. But overall, Outta This World feels like a calculated and cynical attempt to re-create the success of their debut, and it pales in comparison with the inventive recent efforts from fellow boy bands Take That, the Wanted, and McFly.