The Guardian

There is still no UK act that rock'n'rolls like Oasis. Heathen Chemistry is Oasis cubed. It is, thankfully - unlike its two predecessors - not Oasis off their heads. There are none of Be Here Now or Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants helicopter sound effects, titanic riffs or "Look ma, no hands" epics. Turgid renditions in the desert notwithstanding, Heathen Chemistry is a convincing return to form.

London Evening Standard

Heathen Chemistry is the band's fifth album and, according to the rumours flying out of the Oasis camp during the recording sessions, an attempt to recapture the carefree, sounds-like-it-was-written-in-10-minutes ethos of the Definitely Maybe days. And to a certain extent it does. Heathen Chemistry is short on both the unnecessary bombast which so cluttered Be Here Now and the bland song-writing which made Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants such a dull listen. Unfortunately, it is also short on the spark which made the first two Oasis albums so indispensable.

The Times

First up is the majestic, teary-eyed Stop Crying Your Heart Out, the type of song that Noel seemed to have forgotten how to write. Whether it concerns the end of a relationship or the death of a loved one, its universality is truly touching. It is what Noel does best and nobody does it better.

Daily Telegraph

Heathen Chemistry (which will not be released officially until July) turns out to be a dirty, bluesy, heartfelt, singalong, rock-and-roll opus that represents a vast improvement on the last two Oasis offerings. Skilful interplay between the musicians (two of whom have joined since Oasis were last in the studio) ensures the songs have plenty of twists and distinctive features. There are many highlights, including the epic ballad Stop Crying Your Heart Out, which Liam promises will be number one when England are knocked out of the World Cup.

The Independent

While Heathen Chemistry will not be the best album of the year, it is what you expect and fans will not be disappointed. The long-awaited change of direction has not happened but a steady evolution from late Beatles to the Imagine days of John Lennon at least offers new ground.