The lyrics in the chorus of Snow Patrol’s “Life On Earth” say it all: This is something else. And indeed, for the Northern Irish quintet’s seventh album “Wildness”, helmed by longtime producing partner Garrett “Jacknife” Lee, they chose to look inward, creating songs about depression, hope, heartbreak, loss, and the strength to not give up. Vocalist Gary Lightbody is in top form, shining particularly on the falsetto tinged piano ballad “What If This Is All The Love You Ever Get?” and the ode to his ailing father “Soon”. Guitarist Nathan Connolly and multi-instrumentalist Johnny McDaid create a wall of sound, filling each song with vigor, from the raging solos in “Don’t Give In” and “Empress” to the slinky beat of “A Youth Written In Fire”. The rhythm section composed of bassist Paul “Pablo” Wilson and drummer Jonny Quinn keep the beat going with the stutter step basslines and thundering drums of “A Dark Switch” and “Wild Horses”, creating tunes that will keep fans’ feet squarely on the dance floor. The seven years between 2011’s “Fallen Empires” and 2018’s “Wildness” have given the band new life, buoyed by Lightbody’s recovery from alcohol addiction and severe depression and anxiety that left him in doubt that the band could continue. The ode to his own mental health struggles “Don’t Give In” is a rallying cry to keep going, no matter how bad things look. It’s a rare song that seems to have been written as much as a plea to himself to keep being strong as much as it was written as a beacon of hope for anyone who’s suffering and in need of a sign to keep fighting. The alternate versions of “Life On Earth”, “Don’t Give In”, “Soon”, “Heal Me”, and “What If This Is All The Love You Ever Get?” included in the deluxe edition of the album see the band returning to their acoustic roots, giving the songs a softer edge that have no doubt helped the band reinvent itself as much as helped their fans to see why they love the band in the first place.

This album is a masterpiece and amazing from beginning to end! The smog “Life And Death” really moves me and tears me up. Not many songs can do that to me.

Great Work by Snow Patrol !

Best songs to me: Empress, Wild Horses, Dark Switch, and What If This Is All The Love. These 4 songs get heavy play when I'm working out. The rest of Wildness is alright. I haven't liked a Snow Patrol release since A Hundred Million Suns and even then I liked about half of it. But with this release, I feel like they are back on track to making the kind of music that I enjoy. Looking forward to what is coming next.

Amazing album, especially the song heal me. So poetic.

I mourned when Snow Patrol, my favorite contemporary group, disappeared from sight. I bought this new album as soon as I found it on iTunes, and I am very pleased that I did not pick and choose certain songs. The album holds together well with beautiful instrumentation and the classic voice of lead singer Gary Lightbody. His struggles permeate the collection, but the music is phenomenal, as always. Magnificent comeback!

This is a very good album, worth a deep listen. However, it is reminiscent of (or speaks to) a time in my life long gone by (i.e., yearning, developing, exploring the unknown with fear and hesitation). I'm in a much healthier and mature place with much less fear and hesitation, but still a risk-taker. This album does not soothe or speak to me as the Snow Patrol of the past; more because of me not them. Again, worth a deep listen. Great sound, awesome vocals, writing is outstanding. Impressive return.

I've loved Snow Patrol since I first heard them years ago. I can't believe it's been 7 years! Somewhere a Clock is Ticking has been my favorite song since I first it. I've added many of their songs to my favorites list over the years. This new album is fantastic! It feels like Christmas came early. I can't get enough of Life on Earth. It's one of the best songs I've heard in YEARS. The entire album does not disappoint. Don't Give In, Empress, Soon and the rest are so enjoyable.

Maybe a d**k picture on the cover would attract the audience this is intended for. Gratuitous f-bombs don’t make music better.

The lyrics are viscerally honest while the melodies are exquisite and lovely. The complexity, strength and range of Gary Lightbody’s intonation (across the album) is by any measure profoundly beautiful; and at times on the acoustical versions…breathtaking.