Three albums in and Bombay Bicycle Club look close to hitting their stride.

While not exactly a departure from the sound they have come to be known for, Bombay Bicycle Club’s third LP is an assured album that builds upon their existing style; adding more textures and layers than previously heard from the Crouch End four-piece.

On album opener, ‘How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep’, their usual folk-style guitar is built upon with stadium-style beats and Jack Steadman’s distinctive vocals. Along with songs like ‘Shuffle’  and ‘Beggars’, the album hints at a band destined to be much higher up festival billings in the future, but not quite yet.

The problem with Bombay Bicycle Club is their seeming refusal to release an album that fully utilises their obvious talents. With both I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose and Flaws, the band showed more than enough promise, and while their third effort is undeniably good, it is not yet great. The album sounds as if they are holding back, scared of being too smart with their music.

The only point at which the band appear to try and show off a bit is on the final track, ‘Still’, in which piano accompanied vocals are intermittently put through reverb to brilliant effect; hauntingly upfront without ever becoming the centrepiece of the song. More of this creativity could provide material for the great album we have been waiting for (which if they carry on at their current rate will be out within 12 months).

With A Different Kind Of Fix, the group have released a record brimming with confidence. Now all they need to do is harness it.