Manic Street Preachers - Resistance Is Futile (Deluxe Edition) (lossless, 2018)

After Rewind The Film which was underrated by critics, followed by a lukewarm return to guitars ten months later with Futurology, the Manic Street Preachers chose to take their time – four years – in releasing Resistance Is Futile. Chose to, or had to? Four years: the Welshmen have never left so long in between releases before. Had to: their Cardiff Faster Studio had been demolished; a new Newport HQ had to be built; and the anniversary tours for The Holy Bible and Everything Must Go dragged on. Chose to: the Welshmen were thinking of quitting altogether. So, it’s their thirteenth piece of work coming out on Friday 13th: is it an omen? On this double album, the trio led by James Bradfield bring together rock hits and pop that's made for big, young, sweaty crowds. Grandiloquent and taking on themes that run from Vivian Maier (Vivian) to Yves Klein (International Blue) by way of Caitlin Thomas (Dylan & Caitlin), the 26 tracks on this Deluxe edition mark, in Bradfield’s view "the start or the end of something". That's for sure. After three decades spent at the top of the UK charts, the Manics may decide to bow out, and make this work their last. © Charlotte Saintoin/Qobuz