Stronger yet weaker

Arctic Monkeys have always put an emphasis on fast-paced, fluid drumming and creating stylish rhythms. Their new album, “Humbug,” organizes these elements in a darker fashion.

Fans of Arctic Monkeys will most likely enjoy this slightly different side of them. Outside listeners might be better suited to their previous works, which were more light hearted and pop-ish.

In an interesting side note, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age helped produce seven of the tracks on “Humbug,” and it definitely shows.

The darker Arctic Monkeys have an edgy mysteriousness to them that leaves you with the feeling that the have flexed a new muscle.

Lead track “Crying Lightning” epitomizes this notion, balancing a catchy jam with powerful elements of a Queens of the Stone Age ballad.

“Dance Little Liar” might very well be the best track on “Humbug;” the eeriness of the background guitar and the monotonousness of Alex Turner’s voice leads into an epic face-melter.

Although it’s one of Arctic Monkeys’ finest, the third album still falls short of their previous works.