Back in 2007, The Hoosiers exploded up the UK charts with their debut single, Worried About Ray, which peaked at #5. Shortly afterwards, The Trick To Life proved that they were far from one-trick ponies as their debut album stormed to #1 in the charts. Just three years later, they were back in the UK album Top 10 with their sophomore release, The Illusion of Safety. The title predicted their situation, for although the group boasted a loyal fanbase, their chart success faltered as they left RCA behind them and headed into independent artist status. However, the lack of a chart hit did not reflect the quality of their work, which was always maintained.

Returning after an eight-year break, the group is now a duo, and the title of their fifth album sums up their general feel: Confidence. Having grown hugely as creatives in the last 16 years, Confidence is a very different record from their debut release, and while it has echoes of all their subsequent releases, it feels very much like a band who are comfortable in their current skin and are not seeking the opportunity to chase old soundscapes.

Thankfully, what has been carried forth from their debut album is a sheer sense of enjoyment. While their debut was always chirpy, Confidence does have more diversity in its colour and texture, but it proves itself a much-needed shot of optimism in a time of global adversity. A timely reminder that we need to look to ourselves to ensure we are living life as our best selves and to the max.

Channelling Daft Punk on the brass-backed Making A Monster, exploring darker themes on the murderous Idaho, and leaning into the realms of dream-pop on Lip Sinking, the duo show that their influences are broad but that they can take them on board and reshape them in a way that is distinctive to themselves.

Confidence is very aptly titled. The Hoosiers sound stronger than ever before.