Thank You, Happy Birthday Virgin Records****

Having garnered a generous helping of critical acclaim stateside, Kentucky's Cage the Elephant now turn their attention eastwards. The hitherto unfamiliar quintet are likely to find a fan base on this side of the pond too, since their sound somehow manages to blend the best of the US – Pixies, Weezer, Pavement, The Stooges – with their own imaginative approach. It's indie music, yes, but not as you know it. This, their second longplayer, pivots stylistically from electronic undertones ( Always Something) to whimsical pop- rock ( Aberdeen), surf-rock ( 2024) and brash, blustery punk ( Sabertooth Tiger) in a subtle yet effervescent fashion. Such velocity makes the album something of a breathless roller-coaster ride at times, but it's impossible not to throw your arms up and enjoy its infectious energy. See cagetheelephant. com

Download tracks: 2024, Aberdeen