4/10

Following on from their 2013 album 'Melophobia', US rockers Cage The Elephant have returned to deliver their latest studio release, 'Tell Me I'm Pretty'. Having proven themselves as a catchy yet raucous outfit on their previous releases, this latest effort shows a more mellow side to their sound, something that has become an inevitability in bands coming to the end of their natural life.

While I can't speculate on the current state of Cage The Elephant, this record does hold the atmosphere of a curtain call. With an almost subdued Matt Shultz on vocals, 'Tell Me I'm Pretty' seems to sleepwalk from one track to the next, giving little to no impact on the way. And while the journey is a pleasant effort, it still lacks a lot of that raw power the band and the producer Dan Auerbach are known for.

A disappointing return for a band that were once one of the best cult names in modern rock. But while their spirit to continue on is admirable, it seems clear that they are practically all out of ideas.