His polished but powerful voice sits over high-energy guitar work and a driving rhythm section throughout the 40-minute album, which boasts plenty of variety to keep young fans of punk pop happy while still holding appeal for older rock traditionalists.
By the eighth track, IFXS, the tension explodes into head-banging rage with the rapid-fire lyrics "Watch me, watch me, shed my skin", in stark contrast to the melodic chorus of "And now I'm deep, deep, deep in love again".
Things pull back towards the end with the more subdued Skeletons, before closing with the chugging pop grooves of Growing Pains, capping Villainy's most ambitious and accomplished recording yet.
Stars: 3.5/5
Artist: Villainy
Album: Raised In The Dark
Label: Warner Music
Verdict: Impressive from start to finish, Villainy are at their peak here.