The Killers: ‘Battle Born’ – September 14th

“We always say we’re going to let there be more space,” says Killers frontman Brandon Flowers. Instead, their fourth album – which they spent an arduous year recording in their Las Vegas studio – is bigger than ever on glammed-up guitars, digitally delayed drums and over-thetop vocals. “It’s taken longer,” adds Flowers. “But it’s going to be better.”

Here’s ‘Runaways‘ from Battle Born:

Band of Horses: ‘Mirage Rock’ – September 14th

Veteran producer Glyn Johns – who helped craft classic LPs from Sticky Fingers to Who’s Next – joined the indiefolk crew in the studio for its fourth LP. “He’s the most legendary producer that ever walked the Earth,” says frontman Ben Bridwell. “I didn’t really know how to get over it.” Luckily, Bridwell deliv- ered some of his prettiest melodies yet, on the CSNY-influenced two-part saga “Dumpster World” and the harmony-drenched ballad “The Slow Cruel Hands of Time.” Several tunes took form after Johns pushed Bridwell to workshop in-progress material in solo acoustic form for his bandmates. “It was terrifying,” says the singer. “But he helped guide me into some exciting new techniques. I’m forever grateful.”

Here’s ‘Knock Knock‘ from Mirage Rock:

Animal Collective: ‘Centipede HZ’ – August 31st

The psychedelic indie kings get seriously weird on the follow-up to 2009′s Merriweather Post Pavilion – juxtaposing distorted guitars with manic digital beats on standout tracks including “Rosie Oh.” Says multi-instrumentalist Noah Lennox, a.k.a. Panda Bear, “We were thinking what an alien band might sound like.”

Here’s ‘Today’s Supernatural‘ from Centipede HZ: