I cannot think of a time when I have anticipated an album quite as much as the new release from The Dears. I managed to get a copy to have a listen to, and despite a subtle change of direction - they haven’t disappointed.

The opening track - a short piece called ‘Sinthtro’ seems have a forboding, dark feel that echoes some of the tracks from last years ‘No Cities Left’ - but then its a much more driven, rock oriented affair that follows - with the first guitar punches of ‘Ticket to Immorality’ highlighting a much more direct and stripped down approach. Tracks like ‘Hate then Love’ and ‘Whites Only Party’ show that the clever, angst-y lyrics are still in place, and that Murray Lightburn can still bring it when required.

They still have the lush, almost filmic sound in place - but theres a kind of ‘passive agressive’ undercurrent which seems to be trying to shake off the britpop/Smiths references that seem to follow The Dears around. I’ve never really subscribed to the Smiths references, but I guess its there for so many people, it must be me thats missing it. This album will shake some of those perceptions I’m sure.

There is one track that I’ve heard before - ‘You and I are a Gang of Losers’ - it was on a Black Session from last year, and I’ve heard it live when I’ve seen them - but the new stuff is awesome, without being as pompous and complex as previous releases.

Gang of Losers is a completely huge album for me - and one to carry me into autumn just perfectly.