Champ (Blue)

Tokyo Police Club make adjustments to tempo, mood, and song length on this sophomore album, released two years after the group†s Elephant Shell debut. The danceable indie rock that helped launch Tokyo Police Club†s career hasn†t been entirely abandoned, but it does take the back seat during this midtempo ride, which seems less interested in working up a sweat than exploring new directions. On songs like "†Bambi,†" though, the guys kill two birds with one stone. Kinetic and tuneful, the song also experiments with electronic keyboard effects, allowing Tokyo Police Club to challenge themselves while still playing to their strengths. Andrew Leahey