Twin Atlantic - Meltdown

Roaring out the traps with a couple of their best songs in years, the one-two punch of 'Asleep' and 'Stuck in the Car With You' sets out Twin Atlantic's stall for what's been billed as a return to their roots. Sam McTrusty's trademark brogue soars over the former, a massive half-time chorus sure to go down a storm live, while the latter's frantic guitar work is a welcome sign that secret weapon Barry McKenna is back in the thick of things, having skipped the studio for a few albums.

After a recent jaunt revisiting their breakthrough album 'Free', the experience seems to have reignited the quartet's passion for loud, fast guitars and big choruses. Combined with the studio tricks they picked up via a few experimental albums, it gives 'Meltdown' the feel of a greatest hits. The sweet acoustic closer 'Snow in Texas" nods to compatriots Travis' balladry, 'World Class Entertainment' is a riff-heavy rocker, and the urgent 'Get Out' harks right back to their earliest releases.

Twin Atlantic deserve praise for broadening their horizons on their last few albums, but it's hard to deny the satisfaction to be had hearing them return to old stomping grounds.