Two years ago, these million-selling Merseysiders decided to finally end their “indefinite hiatus”. Now recharged and raring to go after a five-year break, the post-Britpop quintet are making up for lost time, with Moving Through The Dawn their second album in two years. In true Coral fashion, they’ve changed the game again, abandoning the expansive sounds on the decidedly dark Distance Inbetween to embrace a brighter, more buoyant vibe.

At its core a sonic love letter to the classic ’60s guitar-pop, the band’s ninth album provides a perfect soundtrack to the dying days of summer. Acts like ELO (‘Eyes Like Pearls’), the Beatles (‘Sweet Release’) and even, at one point, the largely forgotten Racey (‘Reaching Out For A Friend’) are invoked. At times the tunes get a little predictable, but the powerful, razorsharp hooks are strong enough to paper over any cracks. Highlights include the cowpunk-tinged ‘Eyes Of The Moon’ (which could be a spiritual cousin of ‘Pass It On’), and the near perfect power-pop of ‘She’s A Runaway.’

Out now.

7/10