Rock dare devils Queens of the Stone Age have released their new much anticipated album ‘Villains’. Eager fans have awaited the album nervously. Finger nails have been chewed to a measly stump as they hoped the Mark Ronson produced album wouldn’t disappoint. Mixing the funky pop production we know Ronson for, with the gritty heavy rock that we are used to from Homme &Co, it could have gone either way. But these guys pulled it out of the bag. They shame us for our doubt with the slickest tightest most thrilling album, arguably their best to date

‘Feet Don’t Fail Me’ keeps the suspense with nearly two minutes of a moody dark eerie intro before blasting into a vivid riff that bounces, rebounding off the swagger soaked hair raising sound these guys do so well. It’s slick well-oiled with razor sharp guitar and a tight rhythm that snaps with instant vibrancy and elastic effect. It’s just too cool. Shredding guitar solo blisters leaving burn marks behind. Homme’s vocals coo and wail with sizzling vigour. It’s the perfect start to the album. The strutting hip shaking danceable ‘The Way You Used to Do’ follows. Finger clicking and soaked in a slick bluesy guitar riff it’s insanely catchy and shimmy worthy. This track alone will have you dancing embarrassingly around the room with its ear worm melody and infectious foot tapping beat. ‘Domesticated Animals’ is a punchy dark throbbing track with a nice little clap feature. Its sultry guitar licks and pulsing rhythm create an eerie gliding dramatic atmosphere. With Bowie hints in places and spooky dark tones all wrapped in a cinematic striking soundscape, it’s a scorching dazzler.‘Fortress’ slows the pace becoming sombre and shadowy while still packing QOTSA’s gritty shaded punch. The rock and roll flamboyant swagger stained track ‘Head Like a Haunted House’ follows with a rush of gyrating hip causing grooves. With 60’s surf-like guitar glides punchy drums and Elvis-like vocals this track makes a delightful shift in the album. That running bass is just sublime. The spacey wails give a unique twist while whistles add a cheeky chappy charm to the song. Still remaining heavy, it’s fantastically obscure and diverse. ‘Un-Reborn Again’ follows the rock and roll laced style however with elegant string feature and sharp guitar stings. The track glides with feminine grace while still maintaining a razor-sharp edge. ‘Hideaway’ slinks in, sultry and stealthily with a hush hush manner. It’s scorching guitar blisters with steamy humidity while Homme’s vocals smoothly and enigmatically caress the lyrics. ‘The Evil Has Landed’ is a spray of bluesy groovy rock. It’s a flexing of their rock, psychedelic muscles between crunchy riffs and pulsing beats. Sinister with hints of sweetness Homme stays mostly in his falsetto range as the track builds to an electrifying crescendo. It shifts becoming heavier and mightier and mosh frantic. ‘Villains of Circumstance’ brings us to the end of our journey with the ‘Villains’ album. Delicate and gentle with sweet guitar jingles and breezy soundscapes the song starts tender yet eerie. Building into an almost anthemic bright chorus, they manage to pack so much into this track. With echo brooding passion-filled vocals its moving yet positive. The chorus is very hopeful and vibrant with sonic twinkles throughout and dramatic instrumentation it definitely leaves you wanting more.

Sweet luscious melodies instant danceable grooves and enough heaviness to make a room shake and shimmy at the same time ‘Villains’ hasn’t let us down. Queens of the Stone Age have been shifting  slightly since the ‘Rated R’ days but not negatively. ‘Villains’ is sophisticated refined and fun while still packing some gritty punches.

Stream ‘Villains’ below