London indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club are to release their fourth album So Long, See You Tomorrow out on Island Records next month. On the go since 2007, the band is made up of Jack Steadman on lead vocals, guitar and piano, Jamie MacColl on the guitar, Suren de Saram on drums and Ed Nash on bass.

“Overdone” starts the album with horns and bold brass sounds before the uplifting, bursting song “It’s Alright Now”. Steadman sings; “It’s alright now I don’t wanna wait, let me be your fortress, one word then all of this, if I pushed it all to the back, would you run home just like that?” His high vocals mix with guitar to create a song teeming with relaxed, positive vibes.

The following track has a heavier more rhythmic and experimental feel. “Carry Me” sees synth and female vocals come in although their trademark indie feel is still there behind it all. The track also has a sense of sadness; “If anyone wants to know, our love’s getting old” Steadman tells listeners. “Home By Now” is a steady track in which piano features along with shaky, delicate vocals.

“Whenever, Wherever” swirls with oohs and ahs that build with rhythm. Slower more thoughtful lyrics come in “Anywhere you are my love, let me comfort you, you’re eyes dripping blue” before it picks up the pace “I’ll be the night light, you can turn us in, you’ll be the bright light driving me in”. The track ends with a gentle piano/acoustic mix.

The first single from the release, “Luna” features singer songwriter Rae Morris and is energetic and fun, the chorus rings out; “there’s a lot of words to call out, just waiting for the perfect hide out, now when the world starts shaking, I’m ready for you to find out”. Morris’s vocals compliment Steadman’s with a lovely sweet sound and female perspective.

“Feel” brings in synth with an Egyptian sounding twist along with bells and sound effects for a lively and experimental song. “Come to” actually has a sort of lo-fi, chilled sound proving Bombay Bicycle Club are still as versatile as ever. Last is the title track “So Long, See You Tomorrow” – indeed the album’s sound reflects the sense of expectation that sentence conveys. So Long, See You Tomorrow is a solid, release for the band; it’s full of songs of hope and will be no doubt well received by waiting fans.

bombaybicycleclubmusic.com

Reviewed by Heather Welsh.