Scandal keeps Standard high

The band's drive to keep their music raw is especially clear in Awanai Tsumori No, Genki De Ne ("I Don't Plan on Seeing You, Take Care") and Over Drive, which features diverse guitar work, with skilful solo riffs and precise chord progressions. Other tracks also offer a similar kind of straight-up rock, powered by thumping drums and signature vocals.

But the quartet have more tricks up their sleeves: Orange Juice starts with jazzy vocals that morph seamlessly into full-out J-rock, an unusual yet impressive feat.

Adding to the list of perhaps surprising facts is that Scandal songs have appeared on soundtracks of popular anime series such as Bleach and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, with Koi No Gestalt Houkai and Namida yo Hikare potentially next.

This album is a reminder that these musicians can do anything they want to - and that judging a record by its cover is never wise.

- Japanese popstar Kiriko Takemura's squeaky, shrill voice is unbearable. Singing in auto-tune without technology should be impossible, but the J-pop singer manages it.

- Creativity is key to the success of musical artists Maywa Denki who creates musical instruments that seem almost out of this world.

- Catchy and expressive, the songs on Ikimono-gakari's new album I will reach into your heart and soul.