Angels & Airwaves - Lifeforms

Label: Rise Records

Released: 24th September 2021

Rating: ★★★★

Having spent years being very serious with their multimedia concept records about dystopian futures and wars in far-flung solar systems, Angels & Airwaves' 'LIFEFORMS' is one of the most fun albums of the year.

Grounded with feet firmly on Earth and their telescope focused on humankind, A&A's sixth album rattles off synth-saturated pop-rock hits one after another.

At the centre of this gem is a return of fun-loving, witty Tom DeLonge, who gets to shine through. He references his UFO pals, goes on a campy anti-gun campaign in 'No More Guns' and throws in the occasional gleeful "woo" as 'Kiss & Tell' bursts into life, embracing and revelling in the reality of an apocalypse to the tune of a dial-up router.