Right from the start, with the first block of tracks, 'Nouns' proves that No Age haven't let go of their uncanny knack for resonating, simple punk. The leading single, 'Eraser', is a good example: a simple guitar pattern runs through for a while, morphing and expanding, before it's joined by a brief burst of vocals and the song's over.

It's also, though, a good example of how the band have developed: there's a calmer, still moving, but gentler slant to it which wasn't there before. This crops up throughout: 'Here Should Be My Home' being another example. It's as if No Age realised they can still be just as good a band, and produce just as powerful music, without always relying on noise and distortion (though those elements aren't lacking either).

That being said, the highlight of this release for me has to be 'Teen Creeps', where this new gentle feeling is still there in little parts, but it takes a back seat to epic, crashing, noisy angst, which seems like a soundtrack to some really important, introspective, pensive moment on 'The Hills'. It's hard to explain why that comes to mind. There's just a sense of significance about the music it's so hard to describe. Take that with the way No Age seem to seep a Los Angeles vibe and you can maybe see what I'm getting at. It's a much more pop-centric album than 'Weirdo Rippers' was. The moments of ambience and suspense building are still dotted around between tracks, but they're much less abundant than they used to be. Where they still are used though, they're still as good. Engrossing enough to listen to in isolation, but designed to synch with the songs and be just as important a part of the album, they take on a role as interludes, but avoid being throwaway filler, or self-indulgent slacking.

The sound of 'Nouns' is expertly crafted. It's never lazy; each recording is clearly the result of a lot of well spent time and thought. From the waves of noise that creep in all over the album, through Dean's distinctive, quasi-emo vocals, to the layers and layers of different guitar sounds on every single track, each is recorded with its own character, and the end result, blatantly justifies the effort.

'Nouns" is an excellent release. It's No Age pushing their own sound further, working hard to make moving, rewarding music, and erode a unique impression on the modern musical landscape. It's a well constructed, attention holding, and - ultimately - enjoyable listen, lacking in weak tracks, and consistently offering up strong ones. "Weirdo Rippers" was a great record, but No Age are getting better, more comfortable with their sound, and more capable of producing masterfully constructed albums.