Studio mastermind James Lavelle's DJ/rock collective UNKLE has its third go with the aptly titled "War Stories." Frustrated with the majors, it's the first UNKLE album to be released via Lavelle's own label, and he certainly isn't playing it safe from the start. The sound is bold, big and badass, with a crew of ballsy rock stars filling out the songs. Former Cult frontman Ian Astbury's vocals on "Burn My Shadow" are suspenseful and foreboding, Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme pounds out a relentless "Restless" and Lavelle even steps to the mic for the first time for "Hold My Hand," a thumping boom of a track that is an album standout. However, one of the real stars is the guitar, which boosts the vocals and momentum throughout the record. Aggressive yet soulful, "War" doesn't just straddle the line between rock and electronica—it destroys it.—Molly Brown