7/10

Since releasing their heavily-praised debut album 'To Lose My Life...' back in 2009, London-based outfit White Lies have been one of the most consistent groups in the post-punk genre in recent memory. While never quite reaching the same commercial success as that initial release, the band have never really slipped as far as creativity and intrigue goes. Each record that has come along over the years still maintains a level of quality few others have managed to keep up, and that still seems to be the case as they release their appropriately titled fifth full-length, 'FIVE'.

The band have always capitalised on their raw and honest approach to the post-punk genre, leading to many comparisons to the likes of Joy Division and Interpol. But in order to give their music a little more originality, we can clearly hear that this new collection looks to adopt a more euphoric direction than most would expect. Opening up with the gloriously progressive 'Time To Give', a single that seems to build and build until you expect the whole group to fall to the floor in exhaustion when its over, the rest of the album takes the energy of this beginning and manages to keep it up throughout, delivering a record with powerful pace and exuberance.

Despite being five LPs and ten years into their career, this release rarely feels like its treading water. Returning with all the confidence and gusto of a far younger group, 'FIVE' displays a level on competency we rarely see from a band at this stage of the game. Not without its faults from time to time, but still a wonderfully enjoyable release.