[ot-caption title=”English indie rock band Alt-J, from left, Thom Green, Gwil Sainsbury, Joe Newman, and Gus Unger-Hamilton at the Radio 104.5 iHeartradio Performance Theater in Philadelphia. (via Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, file)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/AP235311938666-21.jpg”]

Alt-J (∆) exploded into popularity in 2012 with their debut album, An Awesome Wave. The English-born band, named after the key sequence on Apple computers, has definitely come up on your Spotify feed more than once with songs such as “Tessellate” and “Breezeblocks.”

With the release of their sophomore album, This Is All Yours, expectations were high. After their booming popularity and earlier success (An Awesome Wave won the Ivor Novello Album of the Year award last year), it would be a tough act to follow.

As I sat down to listen to This Is All Yours, I didn’t know what to anticipate. This could easily be a hit or miss, but from the moment the first song came on, I knew that this album would make a great addition to my music collection.

With their usual quirkiness, Alt-J messes around with the pop/alternative/folk genres. They play with samples and different instruments, focusing on concepts rather than narratives. The album comes together as complex and invigorating. Songs are driven by an undercurrent of chaos, and each track is dynamic and powerful in its own way. Alt-J’s music is full of contradictions – but it works so well. There’s no clear structure to their melodies, just a driving apocalyptic energy. This album layers dark, gibberish lyrics over savage percussion and crackling synth.

There’s also a subtle, curious beauty to their new music. Each song has a story to tell or a different emotion to convey. Despite the range of styles and the diversity, there’s a careful organization in chaos that ties the album together. The lack of lyrics throughout most of the song makes you focus on the music itself. You become immersed in the instrumental; you start to pick apart each layer. You can’t help getting swept up in the haunting quality of lead singer Joe Newman’s voice. Certain songs creep up on you while others crash inside your headphones.

Alt-J has definitely shown a lot of growth since An Awesome Wave came out two years ago. There’s always a risk of ending up all over the place when it comes to experimentation, but I was amazed at how well Alt-J integrated new sounds into their gritty, familiar style. There’s a new progression and maturity, but you never lose a sense of the band’s identity.

I had been looking forward to this album since the summer, and my expectations were definitely exceeded, brightening up my start of the school year. This album was a lively, bouncing sequel, but still maintained that characteristic Alt-J rough quality that gives them such a unique sound.

Notable tracks: “Intro”, “Left Hand Free”, “The Gospel of John Hurt”, “Hunger of the Pine”, “Bloodflood Pt. II”