Mogwai: Rave Tapes – review

Mogwai's reputation these days is as much for restraint as ear-pummelling volume; last year's soundtrack for French drama The Returned was full of subtle, slow-build tension. Nevertheless, their eighth album proper is clearly designed to be played very loud indeed; the tension here comes from the interplay of taut structure and fierce bursts of noise. Hexon Bogon has the feel of a contained explosion, distorted guitar ricocheting off reinforced walls of drums, while hulking riffs lock like tectonic plates on Master Card. But amid the noise, there are more contemplative moments too; The Lord is out of Control is a beautifully sombre closer.