Frightened Rabbit – State Hospital EP

State Hospital is Frightened Rabbit’s second EP since signing to Atlantic, and on both occasions the band have shown a propensity for a more rootsy sound, eschewing the polished production of third album The Winter of Mixed Drinks. And it suits them. Here, the Frabbits go through the gears of almost seven years of recording in just five tracks.

There’s the rousing chorus and blinding lyricism of the title track; the ragged, booze-fuelled folksiness of Boxing Day; the urgent, balls-to-the-walls indie pop of Home From War. But on both releases, it’s been their newfound taste for collaboration that has really caught the ear. Camera Obscura’s Tracyanne Campbell threatened to steal the show last time out, but it’s Aidan Moffat’s turn here. The superb, pseudo-gothic Wedding Gloves is one of the best tracks the band’s recorded in years. Consider the appetite well and truly whet: now then lads, what about that album?