7/10

With 2023 also marking the ten-year anniversary of their breakthrough debut LP 'Major Arcana', it is fair to say that a lot has changed for Speedy Ortiz since then. With lead singer Sadie Dupuis now the only remaining original member in the four-piece, the band have also been on an extended hiatus in recent years, with their last full-length release 'Twerp Verse' arriving back in 2018. But now with a new-look line-up and a revived spirit, they return with their long-awaited fourth full-length 'Rabbit Rabbit', a record brimming with bold and blistering energy.

From the very beginning, the Speedy Ortiz sound has always had this rich and rumbustious attitude to it. With Dupais producing the new collection alongside Sarah Tudzin for the first time, 'Rabbit Rabbit' instantly looks to define itself as the rebirth within the band's sound. And despite its more rustic and unconventional approach this time around, the bulk of their latest offering has this wonderfully creative spirit to it. Showing that even after all this time, they are still very keen to deliver something that both surprises and pushes their sound forward.

It may not be filled with all those classic guitar-driven anthems they have created in the past, but 'Rabbit Rabbit' still has plenty going on to keep you interested from beginning to end. Dabbling in some more experimental ideals on occasion, they return with a strong and confident full-length that was certainly worth the wait.