Undimmed by the insult of their record label dropping them the Futureheads have launched a blistering attack on the pop world with their third album.

Critically lauded since their eponymous debut four years ago, the Futureheads' brand of indie punk isn't the mainstream sound of the moment, but few other bands are putting out records with This is Not the World's level of energy and exhilaration.

The northern England four-piece open proceedings with The Beginning of the Twist - which manages to be both melodic and spiky - before galloping into the guitar thrash of Walking Backwards and the pounding drums of Think Tonight.

There are harmonies and some highly catchy tunes here, but it's done at such a pace that it doesn't give the listener time to judge a track before being thrown into the chopping guitars and chanting vocals of the next.

Singer Barry Hyde's brazen delivery illustrates well the band's English new wave and post-punk influences of XTC, the Jam and the Clash, which extend beyond mere vocal style.

The album is made up of song after song of short, sharp shocks that if you're of the right age and aptitude should have you po-going around a sweaty city club with a load of other disposed youths.

The downside of this velocity is that you need a tonne of energy to stand up to the relentless pace of the set.

However, strangely enough, once things calm down on Hard to Bear, one realises it's the weakest track of the album.