6/10

It is incredible what one song can do for an artist's career. While Oxford's Glass Animals enjoyed moderate success during their initial years, turning out two much-loved LPs, including the Mercury Prize-nominated 'How To Be A Human Being' in 2016, it was their 2020 single 'Heat Waves' that changed everything for them. Still their only charting track to date, the song took them from cult status to one of the more renowned groups of the last few years. And with their legacy still continuing to grow, they look to follow up that success with their fourth studio album 'I Love You So F***ing Much', a record that looks to find that magic spark once again.

Prior to its release, frontman Dave Bayley explained that this release was largely inspired by the unbridled success they had experienced in recent years, but doesn't seem to be able to live up to its bright and riveting appeal. While still very much a solid Glass Animals release, the general energy of these new offerings seem to lack that special texture the band have become synonymous for over the years. While tracks like 'Creature In Heaven' do their best to keep the momentum going, it doesn't have the same impactful cuts their previous material was rolling in.

Still a strong and confident return for them, 'I Love You So F***ing Much' feels as though that taste of mainstream popularity has altered their creative process a bit too much. Glass Animals are still one of the more innovative names in recent years, but this record feels a little lacklustre than what we are used to.