Album: The Futureheads, The Chaos (Nul Records)

"5-4-3-2-1... on your marks!" This is the up-and-at-'em statement of intent with which the Futureheads kick off their fourth album.

Released on their own label, it's tougher than anything the Mackem quartet have released so far, but their trademark jerky tempo-twists and close four-part harmonies remain intact. The most enjoyable moments arise when these rock Roundheads disrupt their own musical puritanism: as on "Sun Goes Down", which plots a midway point between Pat Benatar and the Clash.