Belle and Sebastian Write About Love is the Scottish group’s eighth album in 15 years, and their age is starting to show. Unfortunately, while their signature sound remains intact, the overall message of the album isn’t as obvious as previous releases.

Frontman Stuart Murdoch doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve like he used to, and the album feels like the band has grown up. But Murdoch’s emotional reservation also makes the album a tougher listen. The honesty and quirky sadness that make up Belle and Sebastian’s quintessential sound is missing, and when familiar elements of the band’s style come out—synthesizers, horns, and airy vocals—they don’t feel as energetic as they once did.

The record has its high points, including the tracks, “I Didn’t See it Coming,” “Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John,” featuring Norah Jones, and the title track featuring actress Carey Mulligan. However, by the eighth track, “The Ghost of Rockschool,” the record begins to lag, and never really recovers. The record’s punchy beginning gets bogged down by slower tracks like “Calculating Bimbo” and the flute-heavy “Read the Blessed Pages,” both of which end up feeling out of place and not as wistful and sweet as classic Belle & Sebastian.

Murdoch and company are known for their tragedy-tinged whimsy and Write About Love sounds a little tired. It may be time for them to fully embrace their grown-up identity rather than hold on to a lesser version of the sound that has made them instantly recognizable for so many years.