Taking the emotional roller-coaster that is life, and harnessing it into a masterpiece album can't be the easiest of tasks. For scottish indie rock genius' Frightened Rabbit it seems like it couldn't be easier. Offering songwriting that flows so beautifully, through the entire heart string dangler that is, The Winter of Mixed Drinks.  If you listen really, really hard, you can hear the sobs from bedrooms everywhere already.

Moving away from the relationship break-up themed power that was 2007's release, 'The Midnight Organ Fight', has left singer Scott Hutchinson venturing into a different twist of thought processes to put together 'Mixed Drinks'.

No time to mess around, instantly packing the uppercut of a prize fighter in opening track Things. Lulling you in slowly with gritty guitars, gentle keys and atmospheric vocals topped off with thumping folk-like drums, building up into a hurricane of change. “I didn't need these things...I left them on the floor and ran for dear life through the door” sings Hutchinson, suggesting that this album has become a new chapter for the band. Not a change, just a progression.

Things is followed by massively popular single Swim Until You Can't See Land, released back in October 09 as a teaser to compliment what Mixed Drinks has in store. “Swim until you can't see land...Are you a man, are you a bag of sand?” is rebounded, and seems like a personal challenge Hutchinson is setting for his metaphorical protagonist, as he walks the journey that Mixed Drinks lays out. Skip the Youth follows this, and you get the feeling of a departure into new things, maybe a growing or evolving. The theme of moving on, and facing your own demons seems so personal and thats why you can connect with it so easily.

Moving into The Loneliness & The Scream. A dark title I know, but this song flows unstoppably, as clap and chant along go hand in hand. The Wrestle is the sound of reverberating hope on the horizon, like the feeling when a weight is being lifted from your shoulders. Both songs that portray a struggle but still manage to be refreshing and uplifting. You can already picture the sea of people chanting without remorse, in fields and venues wherever Frightened Rabbit decide to grace with their presence this year.

Nothing Like You is the second single to be released from Mixed Drinks. It is catchy and upbeat, and in many ways doesn't follow suit with the rest of the album. In some ways disappointing as you get the impression that it was made out of need, and not want.

This is made up for in track Foot Shooter, as the hairs on the back of your neck one by one stand up on end. An erie and progressive little package, washing you out to sea with the driftwood.

Hutchinson's full, and experienced vocals work so well through the entire album. The musical talent that Frightened Rabbit presents is second to none and the production adds to this, setting all the right tones for the emotions portrayed. A timeless album that will be appreciated all round. Don't expect this to be the last you hear of Frightened Rabbit.