8/10

After releasing an impressive pair of albums earlier this century, there was a point in the last couple of years that we thought we'd never hear the blissful sounds of Fleet Foxes again. Having produced some blisteringly good folk anthems in their infancy, the band suddenly went quiet, leaving a six year gap between this release and their previous record 'Helplessness Blues'. But after such an extended absence, it is clear that the time away has been spent reflecting, as is apparent by the sound on their latest full-length.

Opening up with the eerie-come-euphoric triple track 'I Am All That I Need / Arroyo Seco / Thumbprint Scar', the beginning of this record certainly sets a tone for what to expect as we move on. Essentially 'Crack-Up' is a back-to-basics folk album, working through every conceiving sub-direction along the way. Keeping it all under the veil of their chosen genre, the band have managed to mix a whole galaxy of emotion into their music, giving a truly memorable listening experience along the way.

While fans of the band will argue for days as to whether this LP is better than their previous material, newcomers to the group will find it an absolute delight. There is infectious pace to the album, which not only keeps you engaged but manages to draw you in on every track throughout.