Okay, I admit, when I first laid ears on this album, I wasn't a fan. I thought it was misaligned, insipid, unconvincing and horribly far off from their predecessor, An Awesome Wave (2012) which blew our minds and eardrums back when it was first released, in other words, I thought it was a plain boring sophomore slump, and doing a review of it was the last thing on my mind. However after repeated listens and constant daydreams about Joe Newman's ever-magnificent scruff, I felt a pang of guilt, and questioned all my previous judgements about the album. I closed my eyes, threw away every single preconceived notion I had about the album, and delved deep into Alt-J's newest sensibility. Revelation came when it hit me that what Alt-J was doing with This Is All Yours (2014), was not a bad follow up of their previous album, but an elaborate musical scheme that encompasses at once a humble attitude and impeccable musicality. Transitioning from the layered vocal harmonies in the Intro, to folky instrumental fillers and catchy tracks which cover various genres such as indie pop, alternative rock and electronica, the diversity of percussion techniques and Newman's ethereal vocal nuances are distilled to form nothing but pure musical genius. Although there were songs that felt like an extremely contrived attempt at filling up disc space, such as Left Hand Free, and Arrival In Nara, there were also tracks like Every Other Freckle and Warm Foothills, that channeled deep sexual imagery in them, simultaneously engaging and indulging the listener. Alt-J's new album is a conundrum in itself, playing it safe yet transgressing every single expectation we had of them, leaving us breathless yet wanting more. Mad props to these guys.

Released: September 22, 2014, ℗ 2014 Infectious Music Ltd, Available on iTunes, $7.99.