7/10

As a relic of the illustrious indie explosion of the mid 2000s, Mystery Jets have been one of the chosen few that have managed to maintain a strong and devout following since those heady days. And just like any band that has continued on through thick and thin, they have always been keen to adopt the next phase in their musical evolution, regularly taking on new and interesting directions to keep their sound as fresh as possible. Which is probably why their sixth full-length 'A Billion Heartbeats' takes no time whatsoever in establishing itself as a bold and captivating new collection.

Opening up with one of their lead singles 'Screwdriver', the band instantly set themselves up for one hell of a ride. With its blistering riffs and poignant lyrics, the album's opener is a thunderous shock to the system of those expecting to switch on to another run-of-the-mill indie record. From there, we are treated to a vast and diverse collection that seems to span the musical spectrum, with the group taking cues from psych-rock, blues, and indie-pop to deliver a broad yet enticing release that is not only about big ideas, but instilling a positive message about compassion and understanding for the listener to take on board.

It is clear from the start that Mystery Jets are far from the band they once were, and are in fact keeping themselves extremely relevant as they continue on throughout their career. It may not be their most cohesive release to date, but manages to pack itself full of so many surprises, you'll be eager to listen it again in the months to come.