6/10

At the age of 45, not many would have expected that now would be the time to launch a solo career. But as we all know, Liam Gallagher isn't any normal musician. Having fronted Oasis and Beady Eye for their entire tenure, the frontman has looked to create a record that is more personal to him, both lyrically and musically; and so 'As You Were' aims to introduce us to the real Liam, a 60s obsessive that just can't let Britpop die.

While there is nothing wrong with a bit of nostalgia in your work, 'As You Were' seems to be a record frozen in time. While both Gallaghers were largely influenced by The Beatles throughout their time as Oasis, their sound still managed to create something new and exciting on almost every album. And what we hear on Liam's new solo effort is a continuation of that aesthetic, keeping the sound of Britpop alive through a contemporary lens, and essentially appealing to the same fans he has for more than twenty years.

You are not going to find anything original here, but there are some brilliant tracks mixed into this record. The opener 'Wall Of Glass' is a superb introduction to this release, and 'Chinatown' rekindles that singalong style of lyric-writing he was always known for. Ultimately, a so-so release but not without its promising cuts.