7/10

After returning last year with their confident sixth studio album 'Marauder', Interpol quickly showed that they were far from low on ideas. With a distinctly rustic and organic sound, the band's latest full-length saw them dive deep into the endeavour of live-to-tape recording, given their last offering a wonderfully rich and atmospheric feel. But with so much material, the band decided to offer up some of the record's off-cuts as a new EP 'A Fine Mess', which is more than simply a collection of lesser tracks that didn't make it onto the final product.

In a sense, 'A Fine Mess' acts as its own miniature album. While 'Marauder' certainly impressed and captivated us last year, this new collection displays a more minimal approach from the group, clearly separate in intention from their last album but still a strong and cohesive style in its production. Giving less emphasis to their usually bold and anthemic production, this new release is more progressive in its writing, giving us a side to Interpol that we seldom hear. Tracks like 'No Big Deal' and 'Real Life' highlight the bulk of this interesting new direction, one that seems familiar but also rarely heard from the New York trio.

While it obviously holds a lot of the same weight as 'Marauder' within its tone, this slightly veered direction gives us an insight as to where the band could be heading creatively. A warm and inviting EP, 'A Fine Mess' gives their fans plenty to mull over as well as give them a welcome collection of bonus singles from their last full-length.