This is the first album I've heard by The Horrors, so no comparisons to the early 2 from me. This album is fantastic, and seems to show a maturing band not scared to wear its old and current influences on its sleeve and transport it them to a fresh, exciting place. I can hear Echo and the Bunnymen, early Stone Roses and early Suede here, lovingly translated into a modern context, with quality, tight production. Well crafted and thought about, each track stands alone as being quite different, whilst flowing successfully from one to another. The range of instrumentation is very impressive, both 'live' and sampled/electronic.
The overall feel is melancholic and uplifting in one, with shoegaze drones, up tempo drums and floating synths. Real 80's translations, without a rip off feel. The quality here represents a band writing from a place of respect for its influences and the desire to do something new and different. If you have the bands I've mentioned above in your collection, and Stereolab, and The Cure and Kasabian then buy this, and listen a few times. I'll be checking out the previous albums now.