7/10

Despite making a solid introduction to themselves with their self-titled debut album back in 1999, the world of American Football went strangely quiet for the next several years. It wasn't until 2016 that the band made their long-awaited follow-up in the form of their second eponymous full-length, and although these long-time comebacks never usually work out, their return was met with equal acclaim to their first LP. Not ones to what to leave their fans waiting again, they have now delivered their third album, once again self-titled, and look to rekindle more of that expansive sound so many have fallen for over the years.

American Football have always sat in this happy middle ground between emo-inspired indie and post-rock, creating an expansive and progressive sound that seems to generate the more experimental side to the group's overall intentions. With this being their most high-profile release to date, thanks to the contributions of Paramore's Hayley Williams, the band have looked to amp up the emotion on this new collection, delivering a more assured and succinct record throughout. Opening up with the wistful yet powerful 'Silhouettes', this more uplifting and spacious style of the group seems more well-rounded than before, and almost sees them moving towards a more ethereal direction.

While not treading on the legacy of their previous releases, this third self-titled album manages to bring all the hallmarks of the group to a new light. Broader and more intricate from start to finish, American Football look keen to try a more atmospheric direction, something we hope they will stick to in the near future.