7/10

Ever since they first arrived on the scene, Metronomy have toed a fine line between electro-pop juggernauts and airy indie-pop crooners. Their direction to date has been this varied and adventurous ideal that sees them seldom merge the two, usually opting to pursue one or the other with every full-length release. And while their indie-pop side has been winning for the most part this last decade, it feels like they may be on the cusp of something new and different altogether as they deliver their seventh studio album 'Small World', a record that strips back almost everything they have done before.

It feels like 'Small World' is the most removed they have been from their electronic roots to date, as they choose to explore a folkier aesthetic to venture down. While there are still the odd moments when they crack out the synthesiser, such as on the collection's lead single 'It's good to be back', it is on these more humbled and breezy cuts that they truly shine. Almost as if this release is an experiment in seeing how many degrees of atmosphere they can pump into a single album before it turns into an eclectic mess. Thankfully this isn't the case here as they manage to keep a fresh and appealing sound moving throughout.

It may not have the same bite that we have heard from their more recent offerings, but 'Small World' still manages to find enough interesting ideas to explore. Metronomy have always managed to deliver something enjoyable over the years, and this still has plenty of exciting moments tucked into it.