THIRD album in from the Leeds-based quintet, and there’s something different about these ten tracks. Opener, She Wants Me, starts slowly with a drum-machine beat, before mildly distorted guitars speed things up, leading into Lost – a simple, playful driving track with a bassline that just doesn’t quit.

Lead single Done In Secret arrives at the album’s midpoint with echoes of The Strokes, and a chorus that cries out to be chanted.

Looking back four years to the release of debut album Wait For Me, the difference is made clearer, with Romantic Type, I’m Not Sorry, I Found Out and Take Her Back standing out then as obvious hit singles.

With Up, Guards… there’s a feeling of solidity throughout the album: the sound of hungry youth is still there, but spread more evenly, so identifiable singles don’t jump out quite so easily. Matt Bowman’s voice, although frequently distorted, still has that special mix of confidence and vulnerability, while simple, catchy guitar riffs add extra depth to the tracks, particularly on standouts Turn Out The Light and Go At It Completely.

There’s still a great sense of fun and energy about the band though (anyone who has seen them live will know how entertaining they are), and it’s during live performances that the tracks will shine.

Standing up as more mature, professional album rather than a collection of singles, Up, Guards… is guaranteed to benefit from repeated listens, but even more so from live performances, so catch the Pigeons if you can.

• The Pigeon Detectives play Leeds Metropolitan University on Tuesday night.