We’ve been talking about The Last Shadow Puppets a lot recently on Consequence of Sound. But aside from a few videos, we haven’t really taken an in depth look at Alex Turner’s new side project.

Originally appearing on WNEW.com:

Say hello to Britain’s upcoming music sensation - The Last Shadow Puppets. No, they aren’t a hand performance group, but the latest musical project from Alex Turner, the creative mind behind the Arctic Monkeys, and Miles Kane, the frontman of the Rascals. The result of their collaboration will be unveiled on May 6 with the release of their debut album, The Age of the Understatement, on Domino Records.

With a rich and bold sound, The Last Shadow Puppets don’t at all lack creativity or experimentation, an essential characteristic for any good side project. The album’s conveniently titled first single, The Age of the Understatement, doesn’t waste time exemplifying this notion as the screeching of orchestral chords that open the song soon give way to catchy, yet eery drum beats. Like most of the material on the band’s current released EP and upcoming album, the sound is both beautiful and mysterious, a reflection of the song’s topic. Dissecting the sometimes unattainable nature of love, Turner’s impressive songwriting, seen since his early days in the Monkeys, is in full force, “And my fingers scratch at my hair/Before my mind can get too reckless/The idea of seeing you here/Is enough to make the sweat go cold.”

The project is not only a glowing example of Turner’s increasingly growing musical genius, but offers a refreshing taste in a British music scene that currently feels inundated with young musicians, who ironically attempt to replicate the sound his main band.

But in end, the most compelling aspect of The Last Shadow Puppets is the duo’s true depth in musicality. It is not only beautiful both musically and lyrically, but compelling and fascinating. Like all great music, the lyrics and sounds rely on one another, together offering a sense of mystery and curiosity left open for each listener to interpret individually. Perhaps a reflection of this attitude, the duo made their unofficial debut not in a wave of exuberant fanfare, but intimately with a low key performance at New York City’s Cakeshop last March. Alex Turner and Miles Kane continue to make great music - just this time around, it’s more real, more personal.

Check Out:
“The Age of the Understatement”
“The Age of the Understatement” (Live @ Soundfix)
“In My Room” (Live on Later…with Jools Holland) (via)

Photo via Kyle Dean Reinford…

Categories: News, WNEW on CoS, Watch
Tags: Alex Turner, The Last Shadow Puppets