“It’s the things that break us that make us who we are,” The Script lead vocalist Danny O’Donoghue sings on “Home Is Where the Hurt Is”, a surging anthem from the Irish pop-rock outfit’s seventh studio album, Satellites. The tragic passing of lead guitarist Mark Sheehan in April 2023 imbues the old adage with a profound ring of truth; at the time of his death, Sheehan and O’Donoghue (who co-founded The Script with drummer Glen Power in 2001) had been best friends and creative partners for over 30 years. The immeasurable loss mired O’Donoghue in a grief-induced writer’s block that persisted for months until he was able to extract some candour from the chaos of his emotions. “The world ain’t the same since you left it,” he states, with beat-skipping finality in the pre-chorus of “Gone”, an unconventionally bright tribute song performed with heartbreak-concealing cheer, as though waving his late bandmate off on an adventure. With O’Donoghue both unwilling and unable to replace Sheehan and his contributions to the band’s familiar, soft stadium-rock sound, Satellites also serves as an introduction to The Script’s new four-piece lineup and artistic direction. Reliable hitmakers Wayne Hector (Westlife, One Direction) and Steve Robson (Take That, Olly Murs) feature as co-writers and producers on the more unabashedly polished album highlights, including the persistently catchy lead single, “Both Ways”, an exuberant mix of early Bruno Mars and late Maroon 5 influences. Elsewhere, long-term collaborator Jimbo Barry preserves the essence of the band’s characteristically downbeat offerings (see the jaded resignation of the title track, credited to Sheehan), but there’s also a lighter touch that Iain Archer (Snow Patrol, James Bay) and Nolan Sipe (Benson Boone) bring across the album. Sweetly sentimental ballad “Promises” builds then plateaus gently into soft, twinkling guitar riffs rather than a half-expected crash of drums, while “Falling Flying” retains the propulsive energy of a morale-boosting anthem, played off against a feathery melody and ’80s-inspired keys. It’s broadly feel-good fare, a full-hearted grab for hope and happiness in the wake of tragedy. As they take their first steps into unexplored territory, Satellites indicates The Script are putting their best foot forwards.