THEY’VE been around for 15 years, and haven’t released an album since 2013’s We Met At Sea, but The Pigeon Detectives are back.

But these aren’t The Pigeon Detectives of old, and if you’re expecting upbeat, guitar-heavy populous rock, you’ll be disappointed. Or maybe you won’t. Sure, there’s nothing quite like the singalong excitement of Take Her Back, Romantic Type or I Found Out as heard on their 2007 debut, but what’s on offer with Broken Glances is a more mature sound.

Perhaps it’s the passing of time, maybe Matt Bowman et al aren’t quite as giddy as they used to be, or maybe they’ve just developed as musicians to the point where the music is a world away from their debut.

In general, from the outset with opening track Wolves, Broken Glances is a slower, more laid back album than their earlier work. Where once were audible races between drums, guitars and vocals, now are synths and slower, more leisurely efforts.

Vocally, Bowman is starting to owe more to Ian Brown, and there’s a Stone Roses vibe to some of the tracks – a kind of lazy, hazy mood that’s hard to pinpoint, but you’ll know it when you hear it.

Munro has elements of Eighties' Yazoo synths, while Sound The Alarm shares elements with some of the later output of fellow Leeds lads Kaiser Chiefs, and Postcards features a lovely turn of phrase that can’t be printed in a family newspaper.

Falling In Love introduces the piano to the fray, and Bowman sounds more fragile than anywhere else on the album. Minimal interference from guitars never really builds, but adds to the sparse atmosphere on what is a standout track.

The opening of Stay With Me could be an outtake from Killers’ Hot Fuss, but once the vocals kick in, it’s very much the band’s own, yet simultaneously not very Pigeon Detectives.

Applause then to the band for working outside their comfort zone, and credit to all involved – particularly producer Richard Formby. More commonly known for working with Ghostpoet and Wild Beasts, he’s clearly encouraged the band to deliver something that’s very much them, but also very different.