IT MIGHT feel like he's been off the scene for a while - nobody came out of that Batman movie unscathed - but Seal is back with a strong new album.

Opening with Daylight Saving, you'd be forgiven for thinking he'd never been away. Doubling/tripling up his voice similar to Imogen Heap's classic Hide And Seek, it then strips back to his unmistakable voice,a sombre mood and talk about the weather.

Every Time I'm With You starts soft with just Seal and a piano,becomes a little more playful with strings and high notes,and builds into a sweeping refrain. On first listen, it feels every second of its four and a half minutes, but going back, improves.

Life On The Dancefloor and Padded Cell nod back to the electronic hits that made his name in the early Nineties; expect to hear the latter remixed for the dance charts by Christmas.

The biggest number is without a doubt The Big Love Has Died. Almost as if he's trying to teach Adele a lesson,Seal starts off slow before the title announces a big orchestral noise and sweeping score.

His voice hasn't changed,and his music hasn't moved on much in the last 12 years, but 7 is a welcome return from a unique artist.