The title music for my TV show, which I have rather egotistically put as my ring tone, awakens me from my deep slumber. I glance across at the bedside clock, 10:00am, then the phone, “IRFAN”. What does he want so early on a Sunday morning? “Hello” I croak. “Yaara, you ready to go the East London Mela? I'll be at yours in an hour. I've got the new Jinx Album for you to listen to along the way….”

This is the story of the Jinx album review, already a well known name with their previous album, its time to see whether public offering number two is up to scratch.

Our long drive to East London starts with a Qawali style song sung by Javed Bashir, this time ‘Dil Da Jani.' A signal of intent no doubt, to stick to a formula that's worked previously. The vocals are superb; containing the harsh edge that enhances the emotion of the lyrics, the production works with the song and does the vocals justice. Credit goes out for resisting the temptation to increase the tempo of the song, because at first I thought it should have been, but on further listening to it, I think its right just the way it is.

After analysing the first track with multiple listens and some discussion we annoyingly hit traffic just outside of Manchester. Not helping matters is track two ‘Punjab Nachda' with vocals by Billa Sahota, the word that comes to mind for this is lethargic. It lacks that extra bit of quality that turns a mediocre track into something half decent. The vocals seem tired, probably due to the lack of creativity in the lyrics. The music is basic, attempting to give the desi boliyan feel but unfortunately the revving engines and the random beeping of car horns in the traffic jam provided more melody than this one.

Next up is ‘Kurti' featuring the vocals of Nadeem Sheik. As soon as I hear this one it reminds me of a bad Pakistani pop song, from the lyrics to the instruments used in the production, it has all the classic components. Is it just me or is the keyboard generated sounds used here the same as they use in Pakistani stage shows and game shows? I don't know whether it was the long delay or the back-to-back substandard tracks which led to Irfan doing some rather questionable driving manoeuvres but as for what I think of it, you can safely say the services were a welcome break from having to listen to this one.

After answering the call of nature and buying some extremely overpriced chocolates, Redbull and Lucozade, we are determined to make up lost time. Track 4 is ‘Yaada Teriyan' (for the Bhangra buffs out there, yes track 4 on the last album was called Yaad, so don't worry, you haven't bought the same album twice). Whether the vocals by Billa Sahota are suited to this type of track is questionable at best but other than that is not bad. Has a heavy feel of ‘Gal Sun' in more than the odd beat but it's a simple romantic song that is nice when listened to carefully.

Paleh Pyar is next for analysis just as we are asked to cough up £4 for the M6 toll. It's a conflict of interest because what becomes evident in this track is that the music is more suited to the MC'ing than the Punjabi vocals. The strong vocals of Billa, despite being crisp are at odds with the up-tempo beats and don't always flow along as smoothly as you would expect. The lyrics aren't exactly sing-along but are OK to listen to. The less said about the ‘re-introducion' of the MC, Intenso, the better because its not got that extra quality that makes you listen, never mind make you want to sing along.

As far as I'm concerned Track 6 – Sheesha Da Lenga is the same as Track 6 – Sheesha Da Lenga from the old album. I didn't bother listening that carefully to see whether there were slight differences. We'll let you ‘Spot The Difference' as we failed.

Finally something to sooth us from the southern traffic appear in the form of Tera Mera Pyar. This is the Gal Sun of this album. To give it its due, it's equally as emotive, and the music, especially the flute, touches the soul. There is a slightly altered sample of Gal Sun used in one of the breaks but that doesn't detract from the song too much. The lyrics are emphatic and strong and provide an excellent backbone to support the track as a whole. The only fault I can find is that the voice of the singer, Nadeem Shiek, isn't as solid as needed for such a track, not all the notes are nailed and the tone doesn't suit it, but the strength of the lyrics carry it somewhat.

The final track is in more ways than one comparable to Rang from the previous album. I think Mr Frantic has been pressing some of the same buttons he did the last time he was working with the boys, to say it clearer it's a lot of the same beats. But after speaking to Jinx, this has been accredited to being as part of the ‘Jinx Sound', which is fair enough as it definitely results in another good track. The vocals by Bhagwant Pawar are good, although the MC'ing, slightly better integrated than in the previous track, still leaves something to be desired.

Jinx have followed the exact formula which brought them recognition with the first album. Similarities are endless but here goes: same 8-track layout, the attention to detail is such that they are even in the same order, the album kicks of with a Qawali style track, Sheesha Da Lenga is the same vocal and two MC based tracks that are at a similar place in the album with ‘Intenso' replacing Don Dee. A tune on the same vibe as ‘Gal Sun' aimed at the females with even elements of the same track in it. A lot of this album will just pass you by and won't really have you coming back for another listen, but the bits that work are okay. You can see what the Jinx boys have done; Culture Shock was a massive hit and they've just used the same formula. Unfortunately in the music game it's a simple as this; you need to evolve and move on; you need to have fresh ideas and fresh music. That might sound harsh considering it's just their 2nd album and they still establishing their sound but the similarities are too blatant. The best and most simple way to describe this album is an ‘inferior version of their 1st album.' Rating out of 10; it gets a below par 5.5! If you enjoyed the sound of Jinx the first time around and you want a second helping then get yourself a copy, but if you want something different to hit your ears, then carry on browsing!