Snow Patrol - Wildness

Rating:

‘Wildness’ is a business-as-usual album from Snow Patrol.

There will be many who thought Snow Patrol’s time had come and gone; the release of their seventh album 'Wildness' is the end of a long, slow process for the band as frontman Gary Lightbody confessed he was suffering from writer's block. 'Wildness' is the result of a band trying to reconnect and find themselves again. They sound rejuvenated and full of energy, but cautious.

The steely determination of lead single 'Don’t Give In' fits the band well after seven years away and a long and difficult process making this album. It’s very much a highlight, complete with earnest vocals. By comparison ‘Heal Me’ is positive, breezy pop and brings a lighter mood to the opening section, with Lightbody saying of the track: “Finally, after way too many years of smashing my body to bits with booze, I met someone who helped me find my way back to health and clarity." 'What if This Is all the Love You’ll Ever Get' meanwhile is a classic, stripped back, piano-driven ballad.

The band continued their long-term partnership with producer Jacknife Lee who helps give the album an edge and brings some dance beats to what would normally be more indie-leaning songs. It might just be their most considered collection to date, and ‘Wild Horses’ sounds like advice to their younger selves given over driving beats and spiky guitars.

‘Wildness’ is a business-as-usual album from Snow Patrol. It will delight old fans, particularly after such a lengthy break, but disappoint anyone looking for a new direction and do little to silence their detractors. Eala McAlister