8/10

Ever since they first emerged, Bright Eyes have always looked to maintain one foot ahead of the curve within the indie-folk arena. Relying largely on the innovative songwriting of lead singer Conor Oberst, the band have been quick to maintain this varied and diverse approach to their sound, always delivering something wildly unpredictable as often as possible. And after breaking their nine-year hiatus with their 2020 LP 'Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was', they are back once again with their eleventh studio album 'Five Dices, All Threes', a record that continues to explore unknown territory.

Feeling much more lively an upbeat compared to some of their more notable work, 'Five Dice, All Threes' looks to introduce itself as a Bright Eyes release less immersed in the pretence. Opening up with the delightfully charming 'Bells And Whistles', the group are heading into the latter years of their career brimming with life and vigour. Featuring notable appearances from Cat Power and The National's Matt Berninger, they have certainly gone all in to make this offering one of their more impactful to date.

While their previous album was certainly a worthwhile return, 'Five Dices, All Threes' finds them back within that adventurous and distinctive guise they adopted so well in their infancy. Moving with this fun and enjoyable flow throughout, Bright Eyes are showing this new generation of artists exactly how it's done.