It has certainly been a winter of mixed drinks; mojitos to make myself feel warmer, whiskey on the rocks to actually make myself warmer.

And furthermore, it has also involved a record of the same name–A Winter of Mixed Drinks, the third studio release from Scottish outfit Frightened Rabbit.

The record, described by lead vocalist and songwriter Scott Hutchinson, is a “storytelling record”, featuring a breakdown of sorts, that’s only “semi-fictional”. Declaring he could not do another “break up record” like 2008’s critically acclaimed The Midnight Organ Fight, Hutchinson features themes involving loneliness, the downward spiral, and the upward joys of recovering.

Standout tracks include the first single, “Swim Until You Can’t See Land”–the quintessential tune for the album, which involves the main themes of embracing maddness and that whole downward spiral out of reject–and “The Loneliness and the Scream”.

The entire record is mature shoegaze pop; filled with robust instrumentation and loads of heavy themes. It’s certainly not for the feint of heart, but a brilliant accompaniment to this drowned weather.