You’d have thought that, after 12 years, four studio albums and the traditional death knell of a greatest hits compilation, the Chemical Brothers would be retreating into the wings. After all, of their fellow dance music goliaths, Orbital have split, Underworld are “resting” and the Prodigy’s last LP bombed with barely a whimper. But, judging by this glittering powerhouse of an album, Ed Simons and Tom Rowlands have the stomach for plenty more frontline action.

Take The Boxer, a brave blend of electronic tweaks and autumnal country rock with their old mucker Tim Burgess at the wheel. Or Come Inside, whose spacious beats and showstopping riffs are precision-built for their big arena shows. The best thing is that the pair haven’t tried to overhaul their sound for a new generation: no stabs at grime or cracks at crunk here.

The biggest development is a return to their first love of hip-hop — witness Galvanise, a whirling dervish of an opener with Middle-Eastern stylings and an incongruously effective contribution from rent-a-rapper Q-Tip. Other than that, it’s business as usual: dizzying loops, psychedelic epics and a raft of well-chosen guest vocallists. Of these, Anna-Lynne Williams of the Canadian indie outfit Trespassers William leaves the most lingering impression:

Hold Tight London ebbs and flows like a dancefloor-friendly My Bloody Valentine. The Big Jump strikes a monotonous note, but that’s swiftly forgotten as Surface to Air — a thrilling swangsong cascading with chimes, organs and guitars — drags you along in its slipstream. No need to worry, then. The brothers, to paraphrase one of their earlier hits, are still working it out.

(Freestyle Dust/Virgin)

Editor's choice

• The 100 Best Films of the Decade
• 70 facts you didn't know about Marvel
• The 50 Biggest Movies Of 2010