Album review: Kings of Leon, WALLS

Kings of Leon used to be the future of stadium rock. That was before they apparently lost interest in being the future of stadium rock, circa 2010’s pulse-free Comes Around Sundown. Ever since the three Followill brothers (and cousin) have cut increasingly enervated figures — stationary and aloof on stage, bland on record.

Perhaps a fightback is underway, with their seventh studio album returning to the glossy commercialism of their biggest record, 2008’s Only The Night. Working with producer Markus Dravs (Mumford and Sons, Coldplay), the group strain for the anthem wallop of ‘Use Somebody’ and ‘Sex On Fire’. The tone is strident and crowd-pleasing throughout.