Lets get this straight from the start, there are two types of people, those who love Arab Strap and those who just don’t get why a bunch of moaning Scottish alcoholics should be held in such high esteem. Well I guess if you’re one of the latter then this review isn’t going to make the slightest bit of difference and to be honest if you haven’t embraced the beauty of the ’Strap by now then you never will.

For the rest of you still reading, ‘Monday at the Hug & Pint’ sees Arab Strap continue the rich vein of maudlin form they found on the glorious ‘Red Thread’. If anything, this record surpasses their last effort. The band has somehow managed to capture even more beauty, anguish and bitterness in each note and every mumbled sentence.

Opener, and future single, ‘The Shy Retirer’ starts with the trade-mark lo-fi/too pissed to programme drum beat, subtle string arrangements weaving themselves around Moffat’s (almost optimistic) slurred lyrics "…I lost my social skills a while ago, but now I feel them coming back…" and the genius "…You know I’m always moanin’, but you jump start my serotonin…"_ It’s a great start to a wonderful album, which will pull at those heart strings and slowly work its way into your head, just what you need to remind you why this band is so special.