There are moments where this new mindset backfires. The soaring, stunning conclusion of ‘Midnight To Morning’ finds the pair trading off each other like never before, while ‘No Known Drink Or Drug’ has them employing a swooping new sense of melody amongst the fuzz. Where before their guitars were shredded up night after night, this time around they’re given space to swell.
‘North East South West’ is the best marker of that new, considered route. On the whole though, their first release in four years finds the desert drag-racing duo letting off the gas a little. ‘Near To The Wild Heart Of Life’ – the long-awaited follow-up to their boundary-breaking ‘Celebration Rock’ – opens in fitting fashion, its title track a fist-pumping, er, celebration of the ‘fired up’, unifying fun-factor that’s made Japandroids the poster-boys for life-affirming modern rock ‘n’ roll. After years in hiding, you could forgive Japandroids for thrashing their way back into view.
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