It’s funny that people are still crying about what Kasabian sound like since Serge became the frontman. It happens with every single release. The purists have been crying recently about the song they did with Calvin Harris, which I actually liked quite a bit. “Act III” will definitely piss off the purists, but this is Kasabian now, and for me, they’ve still got it.

Let’s do a mini track-by-track summary:

Quiet on Set Please 1m9: An interesting name, but a pointless interlude.

SOULMATE: The proper opener with a darker, heavier groove.

Hippie Sunshine: That trademark Kasabian swagger and energy.

SUPERPOWERS: I like the rather strange video that matches the surreal psychedelia.

GREAT PRETENDER: A busy track with a big pop chorus.

NOTHING BETTER THAN THIS: Catchy one that’ll work live.

mind palace 2m7: Pointless interlude.

SILVER APPLE EYES: Mood shifter.

THE GURU AND THE CRYPTO TIME MACHINE: Very surreal, but fresh.

npc 3m12: More pointless filler.

GLIDE: Slow.

HYPER//RISING: More heavier Kasabian sound.

SAY YOU (CLOSER): A warm closer.

Of course, you’ll have the usual suspects who bitch and whine that this isn’t the Kasabian they fell in love with, but you know, this is Serge’s band now. I like hearing what mad direction he’s going to send the band in with each song, never mind the albums. Why try and emulate what was done almost a decade ago? Serge is moving the band in his own way, and “Act III” has some of that magic from the previous era to keep the balance.

I’m not fond of interludes, and some experiments miss the mark, but the core songs are catchy, energetic, occasionally surreal, and made for live shows.

It probably won’t satisfy the purists, but they can still enjoy anthems like ‘Fire’, ‘Underdog’, ‘Club Foot ’, etc., if they can open their minds and see the band live. For everyone else, keep enjoying the ride.

Song recommendations: ‘NOTHER BETTER THAN THIS’, ‘HYPER//RISING’, ‘SUPERPOWERS’

8/10