Don Broco: Automatic review – catchy but soulless aspiration-pop

(Epic/Sony Music)Bedford’s finest breached the Top 30 with their 2012 debut’s blend of alt.rock and shiny pop – Busted crossed with Biffy Clyro and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Three years on, this second album is audibly designed to broaden their appeal. Presumably with an eye on the 1975’s success, they’ve ditched the heavier riffola for a new sound that feeds 80s pop through a radio-friendly filter, emerging as a machine-polished blend of Duran Duran and Level 42. It’s aspirati