James Ford – one half of London electronica duo Simian Mobile Disco – reckons the new LP by his good mates the Arctic Monkeys will “shock people”. According to the DJ/drummer, who helped produce the Monkey’s upcoming third disc, Humbug, the new album is “a really great record”. It’s “a lot slower, deeper and desert like,” says Ford, referencing the input of co-producer, Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme. “Really great lyrics and melodies, I think anyone who only liked the first album might be a bit shocked. They’re trying to be an interesting and creative band and move things forward and they’re a talented enough band to achieve that.”

With his own SMD album, Temporary Pleasure, due out in mid August, Ford says that Monkeys frontman Alex Turner has significantly grown as a songwriter since their previous collaboration. “Alex’s songwriting has grown from the Last Shadow Puppets record but the whole band and their parts work well,” Ford insists.” It’s a heavy record but still slow and it’s definitely got a cinematic feel to it too.”

Humbug is set for release on Friday 21 August.