10 Best Rock Albums Of 2021

This musical endeavour is another proud notch on the bedpost of Mogwai's discography. The bands early success and critical high standing has given them the opportunity to stray into some pretty bizarre territory over the years, with mixed reception from fans.

Their new record is a return to form, however. Each track is a progressive exploration into ambient soundscapes. With the majority of songs being entirely instrumental, it's an album that lends itself to long journeys and film scores.

We get the only audible lyrics fairly early on in the record, and from that point onward you're transported to a sonic highway, laced with heavily distorted guitars and streaming ambient synthesiser. This might not be as daring as some of Mogwai's previous records, but it does the job of reminding you just how evocative progressive rock music can be.

The Scottish post-rockers wrote the majority of the material during the lockdown, and the album feels like a representation of all the varied, swirling emotions felt during those months.

There are moments that seem to express a universal bliss, others tracks feel more reflective, there are hints of alienation and explosive moments that represent the frustration of the last year.