8/10

After putting his solo career on hold for the past few years to reunite with Alex Turner on their Last Shadow Puppets project back in 2016, Miles Kane seems more than eager to get back to his riff-tastic ways on this new studio album. While The Last Shadow Puppets and their more lo-fi sound may have bled into the new Arctic Monkeys record, Kane has gone back to the basics on his latest effort, taking inspiration from the glam rock and Britpop days to make this new material feel fresh but also familiar.

From the start, 'Coup De Grace' pitches itself to a more nostalgic ear. Tracks like 'Cry On My Guitar' see him transform into a modern day Marc Bolan, while lead single 'Loaded' would feel right at home as Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie off cut. But while the influences and homages throughout this record stand loud and clear, Kane has still tried to add his own sense of showmanship to the release. With a commanding vocal performance throughout, the frontman feels more than comfortable to be back at the centre of a musical project as he truly becomes a fully-fledged solo artist rather than just fronting a wider band.

The one thing that 'Coup De Grace' manages more than his previous records is maintaining a consistent level of energy and excitement about it. While it may lack that radio-friendly atmosphere, each track seems keen to keep you on your toes and, in the end, delivers a collection of his most engaging material to date.