8/10

When the unpronounceable outfit known as !!! released their sixth studio album 'As If' back in 2015, it almost felt like the band was heading out. The majority of the band's material was now being solely written and produced by frontman Nic Offer, and eventually he became the only face of the band in press and music videos. And while these tenuous appearances usually see a band fold shortly after, !!! have returned even more energised than they have been in recent memory.

Once again written and produced by Offer, 'Shake The Shudder' aims to bring back the original vibe the band had on their initial releases. With more focus on the disco-inspired elements of their sound, most notably on the tracks 'Dancing Is The Best Revenge' and 'NRGQ', this new record shows the band less as a fun group with a serious side and gives us much more of the fun part. The album is one toe-tapping track after another, making it one of their most enjoyable outings to date.

It feels good to hear !!! making this kind of music again. They have always the capacity to create some truly brilliant music, but only occasionally stretched that brilliance to fill a full-length release. 'Shake The Shudder' shows that even after 20 years since their formation, they are still just an creative and prolific as they ever were.