From the ominous bass line, keyboard flourishes and brash guitars that announce the opening, title track, it’s clear The Stranglers have reconnected with their early muse. And as they journey to the opposite, slow tempos of “Tucker’s Grave” via a glistening “Dutch Moon” and the hilarious “Sanfe Kuss”, they reveal a new depth and versatility, both heightened by a production that focuses as much on the instrumental variety, the melodic colour and the persuasive backing vocals as it does on The Stranglers’ trademark darkness and aggression. Their best album in years.
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