It’s hard to believe that The Maccabees have been on the scene for over a decade now, and a fourth album from the indie rock band proves to be unmarked territory for them. Marks To Prove It is much more bold and brash compared to the sweet indie sounds that came out of Colour It In and Given To The Wild. This unprecedented ground has come with a buzz and they have already rocked Glastonbury’s Other Stage along with a recent live performance on BBC 1 Radio for Annie Mac. This is undoubtedly a new chapter of the Maccabees career and they are grabbing it with both hands.

Single and title track ‘Marks To Prove It’ comes roaring out straight away; bold, brash and ballsy. You can immediately tell these boys aren’t messing around, they are completely unafraid. Lead singer Orlando Weeks still provides smooth and delicate vocals despite their new found fearlessness, his voice shining brightest on anthemic tracks ‘Spit It Out’ and ‘Something Like Happiness’. This album is a perfect mix of melancholy piano intros and rattling guitar dominated choruses. Each song has its own highs and lows and thoroughly spoils you.

The most experimental track, ‘River Song’ is an absolute unfiltered belter. From an unusual start, Orlando quickly gets into the groove of things as a strained howl rings out amongst his soft vocals, pulling off a fresh and fantastic finish to the song. It is peculiar, fierce and awesome.

The Maccabees have turned a page with Marks To Prove It. After years of slowly cultivating a mass of loyal fans, they have turned everything up a notch and knocked it out of the park. It is already battling it out for number 1 in the album charts, and it honestly deserves it. A refined but manic album.

Luke Humphrey