sentences: "NME"s Iestyn George noted that the record was more laidback than the group's debut album, stating, ""Sinking" is apparently the result of less clubbing and more time listening to [Gary] Burns' stash of blues records... And the assertion that there's more to The Aloof than an explosive tribal drum break is borne out by vocalist Ricky Barrow's arresting brand of bitter lyrical melancholy."