8/10

Having been extremely prolific during their initial years, Band Of Horses return after a prolonged break from releasing music with their fifth studio album 'Why Are You Ok'. While it never seemed like they needed the break, it has clearly done them some good as this new record shows a far more succinct direction and a release that flows with an exceptional pace.

After starting off with the incredibly slow and long 'Dull Times / The Moon', the record quickly gets going and the rest is a mix of their uplifting folk style and a nod to their own Southern US roots. While it could be called a fusion record of sorts, 'Why Are You Ok' is more of a statement from a band looking to expand their field of inspiration and begin working on an almost reinvention of their given path.

A fantastic return from a band that never really felt like it was putting a foot wrong. The time it took for this album to out clearly shows the detail and attention that went into it, and the result is something extremely positive for the group's future.