7/10

When Pixies returned with 'Indie Cindy' in 2014, their first studio album in twenty-three years, most of their fans were hoping it was just a one-off reunion piece, especially given how terribly received that record was at the time. But since then, the band have continued to release new material and even come into their own once again. And while their previous outing 'Beneath The Eyrie' was probably their most accomplished release since their comeback, they return again to deliver their eighth studio album 'Doggerel', a record that feels a bit more subdued than what they have been working on of late.

From the very start, 'Doggerel' sees itself as a far more pensive and atmospheric Pixies release. While much of their newer material has seen them venture down this safer and easier-to-digest route, they are still managing to find new and interesting avenues to explore throughout. Dabbling around within their usual guise of driven guitar hooks and explosive choruses, this new collection may not be Pixies at their absolute best since the reunion, but still displays a bold and fascinating direction that keeps the momentum moving ever forward.

The two sides of Pixies, before and after the breakup, may feel like chalk and cheese to most. But 'Doggerel' feels far more in touch with the original aesthetic than their more recent work. It may not have the raw and abstract hooks they were founded on, but still makes for a riveting listen as often as possible.