5/10

Over the years, The Decemberists have been coined as the quintessential hipster outfit. Strong guitars and humble melodies have served this band well for more than fifteen years, but have curiously decided to swap their folk origins for a more synth-heavy approach as they introduce their eighth studio album 'I'll Be Your Girl'.

While their previous full-length 'What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World' dabbled in the ideas of a more electronic direction, this new release has seen them fully adopt the synthesiser into their fold, removing a lot of the charm and grace the band were originally known for. While it can be seen as commendable for a band this late into their career to try a new angle, 'I'll Be Your Girl' simply goes too far down the experimental road and leaves many of the songs less than their full potential.

The electronic-folk sound may work well with other bands, but The Decemberists have a habit of writing gentle songs with soaring harmonies. The addition of a new electric edge removes a lot of that organic aesthetic and leaves you feeling underwhelmed as a result.