Bloc Party were hugely, almost surprisingly popular with their debut album, Silent Alarm, back in 2005. Now they're back with a new album, a new element of sound, and undoubtedly quite a few new messages.

The album begins with a slow, yet almost epic atmosphere about it on 'Song For Clay (Disappear Here)'. One minute in, punchy guitar riffs take over the mysterious vibe and by the end of the song, I'm already wanting more. 'Hunting For Witches' certainly doesn't let me down with its hooks and strangely catchy melodies.

It's soon clear that this album relies more on Kele's vocals than anything else. As he lashes out at the attitudes and lifestyles of the current majority, he sings about huge terrorism issues ('The newscaster says the enemy's among us / As bombs explode on the 30 bus' - Hunting For Witches), downfall of culture ('East London is a vampire, it sucks the joy right out of me' - Song For Clay), drugs, rebellion ('Why do you go picking fights that you'll lose? / So why do you go thinking thoughts that are above you?' - Uniform) and despair rooting from racism ('I pretend that there's nothing wrong / The teeth of this world tear me in half' - Where Is Home) - subjects that are no longer given enough coverage in today's music.

Because of the emphasis more on lyrics and vocals than guitar and rhythm, this might be an album that won't appeal to the masses in the way Silent Alarm managed to. Yet, while none of the tracks outdo songs such as 'Banquet' and 'Helicopter', the messages and stories portrayed on this album catch my attention further than the songs on their debut. It might not be an album I'd make the effort to buy, but if you're looking for a band who have a message to give about society while being easy on the ears (and let's face it - how many bands do that these days?), then this CD would be right up your street.