Released: October 13
Returning to their mid-’00s roots on an album reflecting a period of personal change for the group, Scouting For Girls recapture the magic of their golden era on their seventh record.
The band’s debut album topped the charts back in 2007 and singles like She’s So Lovely and the No. 1 This Ain’t A Love Song remain among the best-loved of the tail end of that era’s indie revival, which for the pop-rock trio was born of a deep set childhood bond and a passion for music.
That, according to singer Roy Stride, represents the ethos of their latest work: “As the name suggests, it’s an album about going back to our roots and starting again. Falling back in love with music. Loving every aspect of the process: the recording, the writing, playing live and, most importantly, just hanging out as friends.
“There was no great plan, no overthinking beyond just writing and recording the best songs that we could. Heartbreaking, anthemic, fun and pop, indie and serious, anything went as long as we loved it. It’s the best collection of songs we’ve ever had, and I’ve loved every minute of making it.”
Look no further than recent single, The Missing Part, as proof of that; a radio-friendly pop jam that, if we didn’t know better, could have come from their self-titled debut. Running To You continues that theme, while Luckiest Boy In The World is back to basics and showcases the raw, unpolished charm of the band’s formative years.
The centrepiece of the album, its title song, marks a turning point that sees the lyrical content look inward on a run of songs that tackle subjects personal to the group, including Roy’s newfound sobriety on Alright Right Now and fatherhood on the album’s closing numbers, Too Cool To Call and Marnie’s Lullaby.
It’s a curious effect on an album so rooted in nostalgia, particularly among some of the festival-friendly anthems that invariably are the highlights on ‘The Place We Used To Meet’ (oftentimes without such lyrical depth), yet a move that’s key to their latest chapter.
Still, there’s plenty to enjoy for fans of the band’s classic sound, not least of all the epic Raise A Glass; an anthem of self-love that’s sure to become a live show staple and fan-favourite for years to come.
