There's no doubt they've entered proceedings with an impressive front; lead singles 'Glad You Came', 'Lightning' and Comic Relief track 'Gold Forever' are enough to leave their contemporaries quivering in their All Saints boots - each a ballad-cum-raveathon that cleverly covers all the necessary bases whilst still sounding remarkably fresh.
Fortunately, there's more to be found on the rest of Battleground - from the epic, call-to-arms 'Warzone' to the delicate 'I'll Be Your Strength'. But where they do replicate the formula on 'Invincible' and 'The Weekend' - both '90s-flecked club thumpers with worryingly addictive hooks - it's easily on a par with their best.
However, like all wars there are a few casualties. Watery guitar ballad 'I Want It All' limps along desperately needing to be put out of its misery, while 'Lie To Me' is a non-starter held back by a severe case of dodgy lyrics. Though the end result shows that they may have taken the battle of the boybands a touch too seriously, much to their credit they come out the other side largely unscathed.
Tracks to download: 'Glad You Came', 'Warzone', 'Invincible', 'I'll Be Your Strength'
If you like this, you'll like: One Direction, Take That
Watch the music video for The Wanted's lastest single 'Lightning' below:
