There are very few things which get me excited: True Detective, my wife, Lego Architecture, my band, a stranger’s comedy trip-up on the street…and a new Manchester Orchestra album.

Their fourth record Cope’, following on from the engaging and sophisticated Simple Math, is their most direct and instant collection of songs yet. Heavy opener, “Top Notch” bursts from the speakers with molasses-thick guitars, and sets the tone immediately. With a sound reminiscent of Pinkerton-era Weezer, heard through the ears of your bearded and stoned older brother, this album contains both splurge-gun riffs and heart-aching melodies. “Every Stone” passes in a glorious flash, as do many of these songs, but they refuse to leave the brain for days. The epic outro of “Trees” contrasts the cute and wonky riff that begins “Indentions” – a measure of how talented this band is.

As ever, you can hear the joy taken in creating music together. The Southern harmonies that guitarist Chris Freeman and Robert McDowell (keyboards/percussion) spoon on top of Andy Hull’s effortless melodies fit together like ice cream on an open wound and yes, of course it soothes. These boys have a hell of a range – the harmonies in “The Ocean” and “All That I Really Wanted” would give most people a brain hemorrhage.

Beyond the performance, Hull is gifted thematically in exploring the serious things in life, and Cope sees him focus on real, grown-up relationships – “your last name is mine / and I feel no different” (“Girl Harbour”) – as well as his ongoing relationship with God: “We all believed in ghosts until you walked into the wall” (“Top Notch”).

With few embellishments and a steady pace, Cope is an album that “smacks you aboot the heid and boady” (as we say in Scotland) while also caressing your sweet spot, leaving you with flashbacks for days. Adding to their incredible discography, Manchester Orchestra have shown once again that they are a band to cherish dearly.

Simon Neil plays guitar and sings in Biffy Clyro.