The second album from Baltimore's Lower Dens, Nootropics, is released through Domino Records.

The album title is a reference to Lower Dens's interest in transhumanism - the use of technology to extend human capabilities - a term that could be extended to the music; the track 'Brains' contains a metronomic pulse, which is designed to signify our relationship to technology - in particular artificial intelligence.

The group was formed in 2009 by front woman Jana Hunter, and consists of Hunter (vocals, guitar), Geoff Graham (vocals, bass), Abram Sanders (drums) and Will Adams (guitar). Their sound is a throwback to the '70s/'80s - there's a New Wave feel to their sound. Fans of Joy Division, Velvet Underground and The Cure will feel right at home here.

But it's not just a collection of New Wave inspired tracks, Lower Dens have brought the genre up-to-date (if such a thing is possible) by delivering a sound that would be where New Wave was today if it were still going strong.

The album, which runs for 50 min, 21 sec, contains 10 tracks of pure heaven.

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Nick Smithson