Bleep

One of the titans of American indie are back with their first album in a half-decade. Painted Ruins sees the band largely dealing in the sort of deft, expansive rock that has served them so well up until this point. The widescreen production from bassist Chris Taylor befits the band’s move to a major label, but the rock-solid songcraft means that Painted Ruins feels like a natural progression rather than an awkward step up. The likes of ‘Mourning Sound’ and ‘Four Cypresses’ will sound glorious as the sun sets over whichever festival you next see them at. Meanwhile ‘Three Rings’, a ballad built on a crackling drum loop and Ed Droste’s wonderful tenor, is an interesting foray into more Talk Talk-style territory.