'Write About Love' is the eighth studio album from Scottish indie-pop band Belle and Sebastian. Belle and Sebastian have been one of my favourite bands since I was about 14 years old, yet I had been slightly disappointed with the quality of some of their more recent work. It is all still far better than much of the mainstream chart music, but to me, their last album, the Life Pursuit, lacked the humour and vitality of their debut, Tigermilk, and its follow up, If You're Feeling Sinister.

Write About Love signals a definite return to form. Musically, it is far better produced and more professional than the band's earlier offerings, with smooth recordings and arrangements that contrast greatly with the reported shambolic unprofessionalism of their early gigs. One of the highlights of 'Write About Love' is 'I Want the World to Stop'. This is a jaunty, upbeat track which shows just how technically competent the band is; it's impossible not to want to sing along and join in. Generally this is the mood that the whole album follows, though there are also moments of somberness and thoughtfulness. Lyrically, I do not think that Stuart Murdoch lives up to the incredibly high standard he set himself with the group's first three albums, but this is a tall order and not one I ever expected him to be able to fulfil.

A major highlight of the album is the fact that the band collaborate with other artists. The title track of the album features actress Carey Mulligan, of 'Doctor Who' and 'An Education' fame, and Norah Jones provides vocals for 'Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Perfect John'. These are both fantastic tracks, utilising their 'guest stars' well, but in an entirely casual and friendly way; there is no showing off or pretentiousness here. Such qualities seem unthinkable for Belle and Sebastian!

On my first listen to Write About Love, I was somewhat disappointed, partly by the slickness. However, I stuck with it and have fallen in love with it as an album. Stuart Murdoch has clearly realised that he can't sing about misfit teenagers for ever, and while songs like Expectations got me through my own misfit teenage years, the group have moved on to a more mature sound and focus, as, I hope, have I. There are moments of lyrical genius in many of the tracks, and echoes of Belle and Sebastian's earlier work. Murdoch's faith comes through strongly in several of the tracks; this is something that one feels has always influenced his work, most obviously in 'If You Find Yourself Caught in Love', which can be found on the album 'Dear Catastrophe Waitress'.

In conclusion, this is a wonderful album, and despite its slickness and professionalism, it is recognisably the same band that my 14 year old self fell in love with. I would definitely recommend this album to fans and non-fans alike.