Released on their own label Nul Records, The Futureheads’ third record, This is Not the World is their most straightforward.  The tight harmonies and jaunty, angular riffs are still there, but gone is the sense of gloom found 2006's News and Tributes, however the sense of fun from their self-titled debut is back, although not to that album’s extent. 

First track and lead single “The Beginning of the Twist” sets the tone of the album: fast and poppy.  The tempo slows barely for the almost-ballad “Hard to Bear,” but picks right back up with “Work is Never Done” and the break-neck “Broke Up the Time.”  And while there's not a bad track on the album, there are those that sink in much deeper than others.  “Think Tonight” and the title track move the album along just fine, but don't resonate as well as “Radio Heart” or “Sleet,” both of which deserve heavy airplay. 

This is Not the World is a strong and good move for the band.  The album shows The Futureheads don’t need a major label to back them, and can still produce a solid, exciting, and listener-friendly record.