Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand have been curiously absent from the music scene over the past few years, taking a much needed break perhaps, or better yet allowing the public to forget about them so that their return is much more anticipated (lots of bands should take this approach). Either way, or for whatever reason, it’s been welcomed.

I love pretty much everything off their first two bass-heavy, stadium-ready anthems. There’s a danceable groove to their music, the kind where it’s just as easy to pump your first or tap your toes.

“Lucid Dreams” forgoes all of that for something much less intense but no less enjoyable. The dance grooves are still there, along with some intentional vinyl hiss and pops. Here they’ve dialed back the delivery of their sound without sacrificing what we’ve come to love about the band.

You’ll have to enter an e-mail addy to hear the entire song.

[via Idolator]

Yeah, the Icelandic band might be one of the world’s best and I haven’t the faintest idea what they’ve ever sung about. But you’ve got to love any band that is this inventive both structurally and melodically. Bonus points for their invented language of Hopelandic (that’s what the majority of their albums are sung in).

Anyhow, Sigur Ros’s new album, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust comes out DRM-free on June 23rd. In case you care the album title translates to: “With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly” (or could just be a lame Stereogum prank but whatevs, it’s got a nice ring to it).

After giving it a cursory listen to, I’m inclined to think it’s another top notch effort and Deaf Indie Elephants were right in their assessment of the album. “A solid album, I really wanted more risk from the band but at least I’m happy with those “popish” short songs. And let’s be honest, when it comes to Sigur Rós, is mandatory to listen epic songs, with a lot of “aaauuuuuu”, “yusó”, goosebumps and a little smile at the end.”

Listen for yourself.