First Impressions: My Morning Jacket - Circuital

If there was one reassuring thing to take from the misstep that was 2008's Evil Urges, it was that My Morning Jacket didn't exactly sound like they were stuck in any creative rut. In fact, the further the band spread its wings on that album, the more successful the results, whether it was with the beguiling four-to-the-floor disco of Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt 2, or the Prince homage Highly Suspicious (which has its share of haters, but I'm not among them). Disappointing though it was, Evil Urges suggested that all MMJ required was a slight realignment of their musical compass.

The first listen of Circuital further reaffirms that Evil Urges was nothing more than a blip. What is immediately apparent is that is MMJ's tightest and most cohesive set of songs, but one which is still keen to mine the expansive sound of their last two records, as evident on suave first single Holding Onto Black Metal (which bears more than a passing resemblance to Yes' Owner Of A Lonely Heart).  Indeed, Circuital feels like the album to take the torch from 2005's high-water-mark Z and run with it, right down to the way the delightful Outta My System recalls the Beach Boys melodies the band first flirted with on Off The Record. What's always been true about MMJ is that they have never completely lost touch with their roots, and whilst the guitars have been turned down a notch, Slow Slow Tune shows the band still enjoy nothing more than a good jam.

Circuital is out in the UK on 6th June on Rough Trade.