The Little Ones are one of a clutch of bands who can probably be dubbed the "new kids" - musical adults whose hearts and souls remain in childhood. An LA quartet big on check shirts, Rickenbackers and 1966 Brian Wilson mop tops, their songs offer a cheery thumbs-up to a troubled world. While they can come over like a cross between the Magic Numbers and a scout troop, songs like Cha Cha Cha have the sort of dizzying, dewy melodies that kids of any generation will want to clutch tight to their chests.

The Boy Least Likely To's meticulously crafted, childlike songs are rife with darker insights about the passage of time and fear of growing old. If anything, the new songs in this vein - notably God Takes Care of the Little Things - are even more effective than those on their debut, The Best Party Ever. Tonight, though, they're in playful mood. Bubbles and balloons fly over the crowd, George Michael's Faith is slowed to wonderful effect, and when Jof Owen introduces "Rob, who plays recorder badly", the crowd cheer his heroic attempts. Last year's single, Be Gentle With Me, is taking on some sort of "new kid" anthemic status, and when Owen sighs that it is their last song, the crowd - in unison - shout: "Awwwwwwww!"

· At Scala, London N1, tonight. Box office: 020-7833 2002.