Heathen Chemistry

Back to rambunctious, gently psychedelic basics for the Gallaghers. Noel Gallagher’s made Oasis a simple rock band again, stripping away the electronics and dancefloor strains of 2000’s Standing On the Shoulder of Giants. It’s justified on the electrifying “The Hindu Times”, “Force of Nature”’s aggro-glam and the swooning arm around the shoulder of “Stop Crying Your Heart Out”. The latter is elevated by Liam’s wistful defiance and the greatest rock’n’roll singer of his generation is becoming a handy songwriter too, with “Better Man”’s stirring groove the best of his three contributions.