Fallen Empires Fiction ****

It’s no surprise that Snow Patrol are in the 10-million-plus selling category of Grade A crossover acts. Though with roots in angular and angsty indie-by-numbers, halfway through their recording career they realised the potent chart appeal of alt-emo balladry.

By embracing melody lines and getting Gary Lightbody to add new nuances and poignancy to his vocal range, they effortlessly jumped the queue of guitar-rock wannabes and are now an ongoing global concern.

To the indie Talibanista of Pitchfork et al they might well be “sissy rock”, but by filling a post-Britpop vacuum they have shown that the mainstream can be met halfway – and once you have people’s attention you can do pretty much what you want.

Their previous album, A Hundred Million Suns, was released to the dreaded "mixed" reviews, so there is a lot riding on this release. It's been the biggest gap yet in their six-album recording history. Apparently they were beset by writers' block, though it's probably the non-stop touring that bears the most responsibility for the delay.

There's no dramatic change in sound here – save for a more interesting and layered approach to vocal arrangements and some new Tom Verlaine-inspired guitar runs. Opener I'll Never Let Gois a weird blend of styles that manages to work very effectively and will really soar live, but it's the following track, Called Out in the Dark,that shows just how fantastically well they can craft a rock-pop single.

On the epic This Isn't Everything You Arethey've got a new Chasing Cars/Runanthem-in-waiting, and they work the dynamics to near perfection. Not everything comes off as it should: The Symphonycould have been a big song for them, but it loses its way. Elsewhere there's plenty to admire. Those Distant Bellsis indie-folk and, like a lot here, marks a big advance in lyrical imagery.

At 14 tracks long, they have given themselves the scope to delve into different rhythms, textures and themes. While the odd track ( In the End) should have been left as a B-side, there's enough here to convince that they're still stretching themselves. See snowpatrol.com

Download tracks: Berlin, Called Out in the Dark, This Isn't Everything You Are, The Garden Rules