English indie rock band Alt-J, also known (in the fashion of “the artist formerly known as” Prince) by the triangle shaped symbol for the 4th letter in the Greek alphabet (typed out on an Apple Mac using the key sequence Alt+J) are celebrating their 10th anniversary with the release of their third album in five years. After having survived both winning the British Mercury Prize for their debut record in 2012 and losing founding member Gwil Sainsbury in 2014, the Leeds trio are back with their first album of new material in three years. Hot on the heels of the meteoric success of their #1 2014 sophomore record, Relaxer knowingly ambles along under the heavy burden of high expectations and big shoes to fill. A wonderfully odd and unexpected album, uneven in parts, the overall success of Relaxer is largely due to the strength of its singles and individual tracks “In Cold Blood” and “Hit Me Like That Snare”. Enjoyable, intriguing and bewildering all at once.
Rating: 7.5/10