Hot young Sheffielders Arctic Monkeys will release their third studio album this August with help from an industry alternative-rock god.

Stepping off the stage and into the studio for a change, Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme stepped up to co-produce the Monkey’s new addition to their already dazzling catalogue. Drummer and producer of lead singer Alex Turner’s side project The Last Shadow Puppets, James Ford, also brought his skill behind the mixing desk on board for the new album. Humbug was recorded in NY’s infamous Electric Lady Studios.

The barely-out-of-their-teens Brit boys have chosen Humbug to be the first album that features the band itself on the cover, a first of their previous releases, 2006’s debut juggernaut Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not and 2007’s Favourite Worst Nightmare.

The release of two albums back to back from a group of young ragtags had some critics scratching their heads with pointed accusations that they were “cashing in on their success.” But Arctic Monkeys hit back saying that releasing music regularly is the name of the game and has the added bonus of freshening up live shows with new material. Amen.

Humbug will be released on August 24^th, coinciding with the boy’s appearance at this year’s Leeds and Reading Festivals. First single “Crying Lightning” is expected to hit the airwaves sometime soon.

- Carley Ball