Initially launched in 1989 as a solo studio project,
the Lightning Seeds
became producer
Ian Broudie
's most enduring endeavor, sending a clutch of memorable pop hits into the U.K. charts, one of which -- the catchy English football theme "Three Lions" -- has become an almost perennial national sports anthem, hitting number one as recently as 2018. Despite his enduring back catalog,
Broudie
has managed just one new
Lightning Seeds
album in the 21st century, 2009's reflective, though somewhat disappointing
Four Winds
. In retrospect,
himself concludes that it had much more in common with his 2004 solo album than a proper
joint. In that respect, 2022's
See You in the Stars
could be considered a more natural sequel to the band's original '90s run. Sunny and resolutely hopeful, the ten-song set is on par with
' best work and introduces a number of new highlights to their canon. "Sunshine" is a radiant bit of uber-melodic indie pop that harks back to early classics like "Pure" and "All I Want." The vibrant "Emily Smiles" is another cheery standout, co-written by
the Specials
'
Terry Hall
, who also provides guest vocals.
leans on another longtime collaborator,
the Coral
's
James Skelly
, on the more stripped-down "Great to Be Alive" and "Live to Love You," a pair of upbeat acoustic-led cuts that further bolster the album's overwhelming feeling of uplift. Arriving after such a long hiatus and during a period of global tumult,
's sweet melodicism and gentle vibes are more welcome than ever on this appealing return to form. ~ Timothy Monger