IRISH threesome JJ72 have grown up. When they released their eponymous debut album in 2000, main man Mark Greaney already sounded wiser than his 20 years and his teenage looks might have indicated.

The album went on to sell half a million copies worldwide and spawned three Top 30 UK hit singles - Oxygen, October Swimmer and Snow - but it also split the critics straight down the middle.

"The first album had a black cover and, because of the lyrics I write and because I like to wear black clothes, people thought we were miserable. We were perhaps too eager in the way we wanted to be portrayed," reflects Greaney. "It put a bit of a

smokescreen in front of the music. We're more relaxed now."

The band released their second album, I To Sky, earlier this month and have made a conscious effort to make it happier.

"I think this album is optimistic and very uplifting. I wanted to take something personal and try to make it universal. I did write lyrics with other people in because I want to leave something behind that has substance to it, not just a rant and a moan." Pyramids Centre, Southsea, October 22. Tickets: £10.50. Box office: 023 9235 8608.