7/10

When Death From Above 1979 released their incredible debut album 'You're A Woman, I'm A Machine' in 2004 and subsequently broke up a couple of years later, we all felt like we had lost one of the most distinctive and indescribable bands of modern times. Their ferocious attitude and blistering sound was unlike anything else and cemented their legacy as a brief but noticeable name on the scene. But after reforming in 2011, they have been hard at work once again, dropping their sophomore LP 'The Physical World' in 2014 and follow up 'Outrage! Is Now' in 2017. And it looks like things aren't slowing down yet as they break out again with power and energy on their fourth full-length 'Is 4 Lovers', a record that sees them take a different route sonically.

Throughout the first three albums, things stayed pretty much the same in terms of how they wanted to sound. But with the mixed arrival of 'Outrage! Is Now', it was clear that whatever shape this new collection would take, it needed something special about it to prevent them from washing up another lacklustre collection. On 'Is 4 Lovers', it is clear that they are honing more towards an electronically charged style, dropping the rough and grizzled sound for something more precise in its noise, creating this almost industrial-esque texture that keeps their core sound intact but gives it its own unique path to follow.

The result is a bold and vibrant offering that takes what we love about their sound and moves it toward a more crisp and focused intention. Although without the overt distortion and frenzied energy, it does feel a little more controlled than we are used to, but still makes for a fun and enjoyable listen throughout.