That they've largely stuck to their guns on Push and Shove was a risk, but the results pay off in spades. Aside from the bonkers title track 'Push and Shove' which shares a credit with trendy knob-twiddling outfit Major Lazer, the band have re-hired Rock Steady's exec producer Mark 'Spike' Stent; creating a picking-up-where-they-left-off atmosphere that fortunately feels timeless rather than old-fashioned.
Take lead single 'Settle Down'; its merging of ska and punk with a sprinkling of reggae over Gwen Stefani's distinctive pop vocal is as much of a welcome anomaly as it was 20 years ago, while the light 'n' bouncy 'Sparkle' and head-nodder 'Easy' feel like a lost relics that have been dusted down and polished up from 1995's seminal Tragic Kingdom.
That's not to say they're solely relying on past glories. 'Gravity' and future single 'Looking Hot' are both packed with modern pop flourishes, hummable melodies and classic-feeling lyrics ("Just like Venus in the morning sun, you and me got gravity"), and 'Undone' stands on its own as a lighter-waving singalong stadium ballad for 2012. The result is a modest comeback that at times plays it safe, but the sound remains unmistakably No Doubt.
Tracks to download: 'Push and Shove', 'Looking Hot', 'Gravity', 'Undone'
If you like this, you'll like: Gwen Stefani, Garbage, Nelly Furtado
Listen to Push and Shove below:
