Arcade Fire are a band used to receiving widespread praise for their albums and when they released new album Reflektor earlier this week it was more of the same as the critics came out in force to herald the return of the Canadian alt-rockers. But behind this hit parade is an unfamiliar presence; negative, or at least lukewarm, critical reception. But what is it that makes the group's fourth record such a divisive one?

Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire; still feeling blue, but now with bongos 

The band have clearly been influenced by co-producers Markus Dravs and former LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy, who have brought with them a touch of white boy funk that is far removed from the melancholy of 'Une Année Sans Lumiere' or 'My Body Is A Cage,' but the pieces from the past albums are still all there, in tact and functioning. There is a new edge to the band on Reflektors, as they widen their surroundings and bring in a wealth of outside influences to create a double album comparable (to some) to "U2's Achtung Baby and Radiohead's Kid A."

This is the opinion of Rolling Stone writer David Fricke, who considers it to be a transitional album ushering the band into a new age of creativity and into new genres. He states, Reflektor is closer to turning-point classics such as U2's Achtung Baby and Radiohead's Kid A - a thrilling act of risk and renewal by a band with established commercial appeal and a greater fear of the average, of merely being liked."

"Though a double album of 80 minutes, Reflektor feels shorter than The Suburbs, and better paced," The Quietus mention, with critic Emily Mackay going on to state that, after four albums, "their sound glitters with many facets and possibilities" and results in a sound that the band should be proud of, one that ushers them into a new musical landscape. Pretty Much Amazing continue with the praise, saying that the band are taking risks for their own and our benefit, with Peter Tabakis stating, "This is music that moves the body along with the spirit, a damn fine step in the right direction."

Watch the video for the new single 'Afterlife'

Not everyone is as impressed however, although some of these are people who have always been left wanting more from the Canadians, and their dissatisfaction remains the same. Criticising them for a lack of edge, the Washington Post's Chris Richards complains that the band are "still devoid of wit, subtlety and danger," but now come "with bongos."

However, usual Arcade Fire celebrators Drowned In Sound were moved to criticise the album and their shifting direction, with Dan Lucas complaining, "Nine of the 13 tracks go over the five minute mark, and despite the combined fertility of Arcade Fire and producer James Murphy’s creative minds, very few tracks justify their running times."

Reflektor is available to purchase online and in the old fashioned way now.