RETURNING after an eight-year hiatus, legendary recluses Blue Nile are firm believers in the 'if it ain't broke' musical maxim. Fans may prefer a steadier flow of releases - High is the Glaswegians' fourth album in 21 years - but they can't quibble with the quality.

Paul Buchanan's 4am, electro-folk laments were once said to sound "more like being in love than being in love does", and here nine more aching, lovelorn tales of grandeur echo through High.

Because Of Toledo, Stay Close and The Days Of Our Lives sit snugly with the back catalogue, although I Would Never gets too close to U2's I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. aficionados have plenty of time to immerse themselves in High's more magical charms: the next album isn't due until 2012.

Updated: 11:06 Thursday, September 09, 2004