7/10

Throughout their illustrious career, Public Service Broadcasting have always been one to conjure a distinctive and progressive direction for themselves. Always maintaining an instrumental aesthetic to their material, the band's chameleonic approach to sound and style has meant that every release of theirs adopts a new and varied direction, something that still manages to conjure broad and emotive imagery at every turn. And with their 2021 LP 'Bright Magic' showcasing some of their most impactful work yet, they are back once again with their fifth studio album 'The Last Flight', a record that sees them explore the legend of Amelia Earhart.

Inspired by the final voyage of America’s pioneering female aviator, who in 1937 announced that she would circumnavigate the globe, but never made it, 'The Last Flight' tells the sonic tale of those last few days of her life. Bringing together original news recordings and quotations from the time, their newest release makes for a powerfully resonate listen. Honing this bright and triumphant texture in the beginnings before news of her demise breaks and the record takes on a more sombre aesthetic, telling the tragic story of Earhart through emotionally-charged compositions alongside guest vocals from Andreya Casablanca, This Is The Kit, and EERA.

While the archival narrative approach has been their bread and butter since they first emerged, 'The Last Flight' shows that this original identity still has plenty of fresh ideas coursing through it right now. Continuing that same inventive vein they have always sought, Public Service Broadcasting continue to soar with this one.