8/10

As one of the leading faces in the Britpop movement, former Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes has been letting out his experimental side since becoming a solo artist. Following the example lead by the likes of Julian Casablancas and Damon Albarn, Coombes has been looking for more of an electronic edge to define his solo material and has thus separated himself from what his fans would have expected from him. And with his second studio album set to drop, where has he let himself go this time round?

'Matador' follows-up the suitably named 'Here Comes The Bombs' album back in 2012, a record that was more focused in its direction but lacked some of the eccentricities that this new one has begun to work in. While it begins as a brooding electronic release, the record slowly begins to develop as a far more eclectic release that sees Coombes familiarise himself with a variety of different influences that help give the album a more multifaceted sound. It blends his own songwriting style with a forward-thinking approach to production to give it a fresh and versatile feeling.

It is an extremely professionally made album with all the hallmarks of a songwriter that has certainly found his feet. Coombes brings a huge amount of confidence to this latest release and makes for an incredibly enjoyable listen.