Our Earthly Pleasures

by Maxïmo Park

Maxïmo Park’s Our Earthly Pleasures might not carry the same raw magic as their debut A Certain Trigger, but it’s an album I enjoy revisiting without feeling the need to nitpick. It’s clear the band approached this record with a sense of maturity, balancing their signature energy with more reflective, layered songwriting. Tracks like “Hips and Lips” and “The Undercurrents” reveal a thoughtful side while still delivering hooks that stick.

The album offers moments of introspection paired with the punchy, danceable beats I’ve come to expect from the band. While it’s hard to follow up such a monumental debut, Our Earthly Pleasures shows the band’s determination to evolve rather than rest on past achievements. Listening to it feels like catching up with an old friend—there’s a warmth and familiarity that makes it easy to appreciate without needing to compare.

It’s not about whether it surpasses A Certain Trigger; it’s about enjoying what it offers on its own terms. And for me, that’s enough to make it a worthy addition to Maxïmo Park’s catalog.