If people ever ask me for a music suggestion, I pretty much always suggest alt-J.  In a music industry lacking originality, alt-J brings that quality to the table.

They first appeared in the world of music in 2007, but have exploded in popularity over the last two years. You could even tell that they were growing largely popular since many students here at VHS began to listen to the band.

What sets apart alt-J from other Alternative Rock bands; is their rawness. Their two albums, An Awesome Wave (2012) and This Is All Yours (2014) feature a mix of acoustic-focused songs and other songs that bring a new wave of electronic music that’s indie and addicting.

To understand the significance behind their name, you’d have to have a Mac Computer. Alt + J on a Mac types a triangle, which is their symbol. And in science, the triangle (or delta in Greek symbols) stands for difference or change. That’s certainly the case, as they could be the change in the way alternative style music is composed.

In 2012, they won the British Mercury Prize, which is a big deal for this English group. And though they may not be as recognized in comparison with other more mainstream bands they are certainly recognized by the mainstream. According to an article published in Rolling Stone, artists such as Paramore, Ellie Goulding, and Mumford and Sons have begun to cover some of their songs, ultimately giving them and the songs more popularity.

Their newest album This Is All Yours came out in late September, and did not disappoint.  It was highly anticipated, and having now listened to it, I would say it is highly recommended. . But don’t just look at what I have to say; on iTunes, they are the number one alternative album purchased this week; across all genres, they are number nine and quickly rising.

Overall, I would give alt-J five stars out of five. Even if it isn’t your type of music, it’s definitely worth a listen. If you don’t listen to them, you’re missing out on some really great music.