This week's CD choice

ARCTIC MONKEYS, Humbug, Domino ****

The career trajectory seems almost predictable at this stage: release a thrilling post-punk album that wins the Mercury prize and becomes the fastest-selling debut in UK history, then follow it up with a more mature-sounding second album that doesn’t do quite as well but still consolidates your position as one of the best new UK bands around. Now it’s time for the challenging third album.

What always set Alex Turner and company apart was their spiky sense of musical fun, complete with lyrics that came out of the Paul Weller/John Cooper Clarke school of social observation. But from early on there were indications that they were in this for the long haul and wouldn’t play the “from Oop North” card forever. The second album hinted at development a-plenty, and Turner’s work with The Last Shadow Puppets showcased a different side to his abilities.

Humbugwill surprise and, for some, disappoint. My Propeller, the opener, sounds like The Coral on valium – a broody affair with a big, tremolo guitar sound and Turner crooning over it in a vaguely threatening manner. This is followed by the already released single, Crying Lightning, which picks up the pace a bit but still has an ominous feel about it.

Once you tune in to this new mood, though, Humbug slowly unfolds as one of Arctic Monkeys' strongest efforts to date. Yes, it's bleak and occasionally plodding, but the songwriting (particularly on Cornerstoneand The Jeweller's Hands)speaks of a band who care little for re-echoing the past and dare to be experimentally different. The initial punky energy has been lost, but they've substantially added to their musical palette.

If you went with Turner with his Last Shadow Puppets side project, you'll enjoy the ride here (even if at times they get perilously close to sounding like The Doors). If you're looking for the altogether headier delights of I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor, look elsewhere. Warning: Humbugneeds time – it's a real grower. www.arcticmonkeys.com BRIAN BOYD

Download tracks: Cornerstone, The Jeweller's Hands