8/10

Having had a somewhat turbulent time over the last few years, due to founding member and drummer Richard Jupp choosing to depart from the band at the beginning of last year, Elbow have returned to deliver their seventh studio album 'Little Fictions'. And much like their most recent material, aims to create a gentle balance between an atmospheric direction and powerful songwriting.

The spotlight has been shining hard on the band since their Mercury Prize-winning album 'The Seldom Seen Kid' from 2008, but their style since and prior to that release has varied in multiple ways. And while their last full-length 'The Take Off And Landing Of Everything' wasn't what there fans were looking for in a glorious return, 'Little Fictions' certainly sees them take inspiration from their formative years.

Moody, emotional but always trying to look at life through a rose-tinted lens, Guy Garvey narrates this release in stellar form. The band's additional collaborations with The Hallé Orchestra add that extra vigour that the band have lacked on their previous release, and shows us there is still plenty of life left in these old dogs yet.