The Stone Roses tweeted details of a new single with a few hours notice - because in the world of social media as PR, they can afford to.

All For One had a lukewarm response from critics who probably missed the point of the comeback record - it was for Roses fans, not an attempt to grab a new audience. They're here for a good time, not a long time.

It was short, sharp, simple - it ticked the boxes and displayed enough skill to show that being away for more than 20 years might blunt the edges but it doesn't remove the overall shine and sharpness.

So what about the follow up - Beautiful Thing? First up - it's seven minutes long. And one second. This is the blissed out, top down coastal drive of a single after the revved up look-at-me return.

Light footed guitar riffs from Squire lend themselves nicely to lyrics that could have come from Brown's debut, Unfinished Monkey Business. The lead guitar gets its sun-drenched show off moment about four and a half minutes in though.

There are bits of Fools Gold in the bassline. And the drums. It's definitely more first album than Second Coming. Brown has his paws all over this one.

Does all of this mean they've gone back to the source?

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The Led Zeppelin-infused sound the Squire tried to fuse into the band before the split has gone a bit - the backwards guitar effects are still there in spades though. But its old Roses territory here. Rolling drums, heavy effects pedal intro, Mani's guiding bass, Brown's semi-prophetic whisperings.

John Lennon gets a name check. Brown pokes fun at himself and his much maligned vocal style.

Beautiful Thing stretches out into the distance with the confidence of a band who (still) aren't that bothered about pleasing critics - they're doing it for the fans. And after all this time, for themselves too.

(Image: Sarah Walters)

Oddly, the Stone Roses seem to be making music devoid of the shackles of huge expectation. Maybe that comes more from outside the band than inside.

Still defiant. Still in the groove. Still making music other bands can only dream of even in an arguably lower gear than at their peak.

And thats pretty beautiful, right?

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