Time after time you’ll hear top, seasoned musical stars being asked the question, “What advice would you give to budding artists?” And the answer almost always is “Be original.” This is LA’s Silversun Pickups third album and it’s both original and distinctive - not least because of Brian Aubert’s almost childlike vocal. But there’s much more to this band and this album, and one suspects that this LA four-piece is about to set the world alight.

So why is SWOON such a good album? The stunning opening track ‘There’s No Secret This Year’ provides the (concrete) clues. A fabulous instrumental introduction is followed by some of the most original content I’ve heard by a band in some time. The song is packed with suspence, drama, changes of pace, good lyrics and a melody of gargantuan proportions. Then there’s that distinctive lead vocal that winds itself around each guitar lick as it fathfully follows every complex twist and turn of this fabulous track. ‘The Royal We’ injects changes of pace and sawing strings to another glorious melody, soaring vocal and peerless production. The instrumentation is awe-inspiring as drums, guitars and violins battle it out in epic style.

The final trick? It builds and builds after each crashing choruses - shit, it’s awesome! ‘Growing Old Is Getting Old’ opens with a pensive bass line which forms the song’s threatening rhythm. It’s glacial in pace with snatched vocals peppering another fine instrumental display. It’s dark, moody, epic and brilliant.

‘It’s Nice To Know You Work Alone’ opens in more conventional pop-rock style but then develops a harder edge with some sharp guitar riffs and another rhythmic masterpiece. Guitars then take on a life of their own as they transport the vocal to the song’s conclusion with a final string flourish added in at the last moment. Excellent. ‘Panic Switch’ by any standard is a good song but in this company it pales into insignificance.

‘Draining’ grabs back the initiative with a slow-burning, tense vibe that grabs one’s attention by the throat, waiting for an explosion that doesn’t arrive, and ultimately isn’t necessary. ‘Sort Of’ is dominated by a huge drum rhythm, soaring keyboard notes, deadly guitar riffs and the album’s most expressive vocal performance. The final guitar and drum rush for the finishing line is awesome. It’s another winner.

Of the final three songs ‘Surrounded (Or Spiraling)’ shines with bass guitar dominating the rhythm section and strings wafting in and out alongside Aubert’s strongest vocal performance. I strongly recommend this album and can’t wait to witness the band perform live.

4/5