The Music - 'Welcome to the North' (Virgin) Released 20/09/04

It’s been a surprisingly low-key comeback this time around from The Music, having blasted onto the scene to widespread acclaim in 2003 with their eponymous debut before disappearing back into the studio to jam out a collection of new songs. Despite a top performance at this summer’s Homelands and the release of a download-only single (title track “Welcome to the North”) on the worldwide web, The Music’s new album has arrived amid a whisper of rumours, rather than in a blaze of glory as it so rightly deserves.

On first listen it’s an 11-track breath of fresh air which looks set to stamp a new identity on the semi-stale indie scene, mixing a menagerie of genres to create an enticing blend of rock/indie/funk which borders precariously on the anthemic, toeing the line for the bulk of the album while cheekily crossing it to great effect on tracks such as “Bleed from Within” and latest single “Freedom Fighters ” which is already taking MTV2 by storm.

Recorded earlier this year in Atlanta, The Music’s latest offering presents a heavier sound for the band, having turned in a new direction towards a rockier, more impressive lineup. Tracks such as the bass-ridden “Cessation” and “Breakin” with its hypnotically catchy hook have “next year’s headliners” written all over them, and after one listen of “Fight The Feeling” you can almost imagine the thousands of Glasto-goers stomping up a muddy storm by the main stage. In fact, the Muse boys should watch their backs, as from the sounds of things, they could find themselves having to defend their kings-of-festivals title.

Closing track “Open Your Mind” is a rock ensemble of epic proportions, thanks to some charismatic lead vocals from frontman Robert Harvey, whose voice is individual enough to be powerful without the technical accuracy usually required for such an impressive track. As a showcase for the band’s rampaging lyrics and Harvey’s voice, “Welcome to the North” is a heartfelt greeting indeed.