Impeccably cool duo VV and Hotel, aka American Alison Mosshart and British Jamie Hince (yes, he of recent la Kate Moss link-up tabloid fodder), are back with a third album of messed-up, dirty, and in places experimental rock and roll. Employing the production help of the fabulously-titled Armani XXXchange, this album has a grittier sound that compliments VV's croaky seductive vocals perfectly.

Opening with recent singles ‘U.R.A. Fever’ and ‘Cheap and Cheerful’, it’s clear The Kills have gone for an update on their sound. The Royal Trux-like grrr remains, but with the addition of more electro voom.

Many of the songs appear to cover relationship breakdown. ‘Tape Song’s “time ain’t gonna cure you/time don’t give a shit” rings true, as does “We’re two parties/two parties ending” (‘Last Day of Magic’). Simple yet effective. In places VV sounds a lot like the mistress of edgy menace, PJ Harvey, such as on ‘Hook and Line’ (oh and of course Peej has a song called ‘Hook…’)

The more experimental Alphabet Pony has a fabulously off-kilter guitar line, as VV screams “He’s the alphabet pony!” over the top. Daddy Daddy get me an alphabet pony, I want it now!

‘What New York Used to Be’ is the sexist song here, with an extremely catchy guitar line and “ooh ooh ooo’-ing” and could be a good single choice.

This album is “a little tornado, a little hurricane-o”. I like.

(4/5)