The difficult.... fifth album. Or so it might first seem following the band's three year hiatus. Fool us not though, there's nothing stale here as they emerge from hibernation with a fresh batch of tracks set to heal the indie heart-break of 2016.

Softly opening with Get Up, Bombay Bicycle Club create a mood like no other with hazy tones kickstarting in to life as you wipe the sleep from your eyes and stretch in to motion. Limbered up, Is It Real is the first taste we get of their playful indie melodies as upbeat chord changes and snappy percussion take centre stage. The record's title track Everything Else Has Gone Wrong comes from a cathartic release of self expression and of one that allows you to find safety and comfort in familiarisation, something that's deeply invested in to a band that so many people have fallen in love with so many years ago.

Across the album there's a redefining depth, evident in I Can Hardly Speak which croons smoothly in to existence alongside Good Day's dynamic instrumentation. With Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You) it feels only right the band revert to their distinguishably infectious lyrics and driving emotions. "We felt it was recognisably us, while also sounding fresh and new," says Suren. "I remember playing the demo to a mate of mine, in my car, and as soon as it came on, he had a big smile on his face. It felt like we were back."



Elsewhere on the LP, Worry 'Bout You draws inspiration from Jack's solo adventure as tribal percussion amalgamates with electronic elements seamlessly, where People People, co written by Ed Nash, offers further charisma as they're joined by long time collaborator Liz Lawrence. In its final stages, Do You Feel Loved sways in to action before the softly played Let You Go melts in to its playfulness realised through an energising synth-explosive finale.

Rounding up on the beautifully poignant lament that is Racing Stripes, the band show their tenderness is far from lost as its airy vocals and plonky bassline set the backdrop to an imaginary (soon to be real) crowd, adorned with lighters and phones raised in the air. "It's a good example of the emotional roller-coaster you go through," explains Jack after finishing the single following a spell of writing difficulty. "I was like, this is it, I can't do this any more, and then the next morning you're like, ah, this is a really good song. The relief!"

Re-emerging at a time where our country is crumbling, the grounding "I guess I've found my peace again, and yes, I've found my second wind," plays truer than ever. 'Everything Else Has Gone Wrong' is everything we could have wanted and more from a band who have soundtracked the last decade and still manage to remain as fresh as the day I first heard them.


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