No matter which way you write it – with a Mecca dauber or a betting pencil – it’s good news: the Arctic Monkeys release their third album on Monday, August 24.

The as-yet-untitled album features 10 brand new Arctic Monkeys’ songs and was produced by Josh Homme in the Mojave Desert and Los Angeles and James Ford in Brooklyn. Does this mean we are to expect a stodgy rock epic in the mould of ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’? Is Alex likely to be trading in his SBA Zip Hoody for a bi-cep-bustin’ cap-sleeve T-Shirt and some ‘muscular’ riffin’?

Well let’s fooking hope not. Hope rests on the input of Ford, whose recent production credits include The Last Shadow Puppets, Test Icicles, Peaches and Mystery Jets.

Can you take the Monkey’s out of High Green and still have him swingin’ from all the right branches? Only time will tell.

The album will be available on CD (WIGCD220), vinyl (WIGLP220) and via digital download (WIG220D).

More Info: www.arcticmonkeys.com

EELS will release their first new album since 2005’s acclaimed double BLINKING LIGHTS AND OTHER REVELATIONS. The new album, HOMBRE LOBO, set for June 2nd, 2009, features 12 new songs recorded in EELS leader Mark Oliver Everett, aka E’s studio in Los Angeles. Stay tuned to EELStheband.com and myspace.com/eels for more info.