Placebo is back with their sixth studio release, Battle For The Sun, and after thirteen years of making music, it's pretty safe to say that Placebo has their sh*t down. Whereas this album definitely has moments where it doesn't particularly sound like the Placebo we all know and have grown to love, it doesn't disappoint.

The album opens strong with Kitty Litter, which will have you singing along with it the third or fourth time you hear it. the same can be said about most of the songs on this album. They're very stand-alone and well done. Not overly complicated, but they most definitely get the point across, and are some of the more enjoyable songs I've heard as of late.

Battle for the Sun, the albums title track, builds slowly, but steadily, and ends up being one of the most stand out tracks on the album. Another stand out song, at least in my opinion, occurs later in the album- Julien. The vocals match the darker feel of it perfectly, and the lyrics are done amazingly well. The music manages to still suit the song without sounding as dark as everything else. All in all, I'd say this was one of my favourite songs off the album.

In the ways of newer sounds, Happy You're Gone manages to sound just like Placebo, and like something completely different all at once. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what does it, but I do believe it's Molko's vocals that keep that Placebo vibe to it. If it were sung any other way, it would sound like a completely different band. Breathe Underwater is another one that doesn't exactly sound like classic Placebo, but as opposed to Happy You're Gone, this sounds more like a progression of the band, as opposed to something different.

Just as it opens strong, it closes just as strong with Kings of Medicine. Another song that is darker than it sounds when you examine a bit more closely, it's slow and strong. One of the more mellow sounding songs, you can put it on and close your eyes and sway, and get completely lost in it.

As I said before, there are a few songs on this album that aren't exactly the Placebo we all know and love, but in no way should that discourage you from picking up with album! Whether you're a tried and true 'Cebo fan, or someone out there looking for a new CD to pick up! Definitely check out Battle for the Sun, you won't regret it!