A-Ha

Everyone's favourite eighties Norwegian three-piece are back. And what's more, they still have something to offer.

Minor Earth|Major Sky is a big, bold statement, more mature and less hormonally fuelled than yesteryear, but still quintessential A-ha. The soundscapes are lush, the trio aided by a variety of musicians throughout, as well as sections of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, who turn the bittersweet sympathies of 'I Wish I Cared' into a stirring epic not a million miles away from a certain Mr Ashcroft's finest moment.

Morten Harket also happens to be possessed of one of the finest voices in pop music which time has only improved: this man is capable of dizzy heights and world-weary depths in one song - 'To Let You Win' or 'I Thought That It Was You' being prime examples.

Current single 'Summer Moved On' is a fine song, but it's far from the pick of the bunch here. 'The Sun Never Shone That Day' comes close, a brisk pop melody with hints of eighties nostalgia. The real highlight, though, is the sweeping ballad, 'You'll Never Get Over Me', the proud possessor of as fine a pop chorus I've laid ears on in a long time.

Older, wiser and deeper in angst, A-ha sound better than ever.