7/10

The indie-rock scene has had a tough time of it lately. While once being a beacon of British musical ingenuity, the sound has flagged dramatically in recent years, with many of the stalwart names resigned to the landfill and newer artists having trouble making it past a second album before calling it a day. But in recent times, we have watched as The Vaccines continue to push the boundaries of their direction, creating some superb offerings in the process. And it feels like those times are carrying on as they return with their fifth studio album 'Back In Love City', a record that still maintains that focused and creative spark.

What we heard on their previous effort 'Combat Sports' was a group reluctant to fall by the mediocre wayside, delivering a fresh and exciting collection in the process. That rampant vigour remains strong on 'Back In Love City' as they look to create another bold and hook-filled journey into their diverse and adventurous guise. From start to finish, this new full-length looks to make as much noise and excitement as possible. Throwing out the rulebook of what many expected from them, and showing that they far from becoming another casualty of the indie-rock zeitgeist.

While there isn't much in the way of long-standing anthems on here, 'Back In Love City' packs itself with a euphoric and driven direction that makes for a wonderfully lofty listen. There are toe-tapping moments hidden round nearly every corner, giving their new release an enjoyable aesthetic that shows they are far from fading out right now.