In a surprise upset, London-based trio The Klaxons have won the Mercury Music Prize for best British album of the year, moments ago at a ceremony in their hometown. The band were dubbed “new rave” by snarky critics who took their often sci-fi or mystical references (and somewhat danceable beats) as a sign of the return of ecstasy and glowsticks, I guess. However, the band’s debut album, Myths of the Near Future, is actually far more complex and textured than such a description might imply. “Gravity’s Rainbow” is an intense, bass-led track reminiscent of Bloc Party, while “Golden Skans” is more acoustic, with its falsetto refrain of “ooh-ee-oohs,” although just as urgent. It’s a very good album, but the best one from a British artist this year? Well, sorry, Bat For Lashes!
