THE third album from enigmatic New York dons Interpol sees their trajectory towards Indie-rock supremacy rising even higher.

Our Love To Admire is at once unmistakeably Interpol, and yet undeniably new.

As on 2002's Turn On The Bright Lights and 2004's Antics, they continue to bask in dark yet deeply melodic rock, driven by thumping drums and heavy bass, as encapsulated in the catchy kiss-off single Hernrich Maneuver.

It is confident yet brooding, irresistibly cool with surreal and obtuse lyrics that retread old themes of lost love, emptiness and dislocation.

But this is a more intricate, accomplished and expansive Interpol, searching out new and sophisticated sounds. Where keyboards existed more as an afterthought beforehand, Our Love To Admire is bolstered by funereal pianos and synthesisers.

The seductive evolution is never more obvious than on tracks such as Mammoth, propelled by a pummelling groove, and the ghostly Rest My Chemistry.

Our Love To Admire closes with The Lighthouse, a goosebump-inducing finale, constructed almost solely around a mournful guitar and Spartan lyrics. It's a fitting and dramatic end to a stirring and emotional journey.

Interpol are back every bit as good as before, but charged with a new spirit and bigger, cinematic sound. It's an engrossing, epic album from an engrossing, epic band.

Roll on album number four.