7/10

After the departure of founding member Chris Walla last year, Death Cab For Cutie have returned with their eighth studio album 'Kintsugi'. Named after the Japanese art of fixing broken pottery, the name acts as a metaphor for the band's broken but not destroyed past and have looked to reenergise themselves on this latest full-length. But with four years passed since their last studio record and a member down, how have they managed to recover?

As a whole, 'Kintsugi' seems to show a more uplifting sound than what the band have been known for in the past. While fan favourites have always been their brooding yet forceful anthems, the highlights on this new release seem to be the fast-paced, joyous tracks that seem to herald a new beginning for the band. While they have still managed to hold on to their signature sound throughout much of the record, the overall feeling it seems to be transmitting is one of hope and positivity.

While the pace of the record does leave you a little uneasy at times, the songs themselves display a great level of direction and focus that help bring this record to life. Filled with a great confidence throughout, this surely does not sound like a band ready to give up just yet.