The New Mars Volta Single is Exactly As Predictable As You Think It Is (So As To Say, It's Not).

It's sort of ironic that the world was introduced to the Mars Volta's new single The Malkin Jewel in the wee hours this morning via a broadcast from Australian radio giant Triple J.  That's because the lead single from Noctourniquet, the band's sixth studio album, is decidedly not so radio friendly.  Sure, it's got some groove and a meaty hook, but it's also got a Floydian acid-trip breakdown, a creepy Cedric Bixler-Zalava vocal delivery, and enough reverb and ghostly noises to give Die Antwoord the heebie jeebies.  So yeah, slide it in right between Lana del Rey and LMFAO on the ol' top 40.

Of course, us Volta fans wouldn't have it any other way.  And, honestly, it's nice to hear an uncompromised vision come out as the album's harbinger.  The group's last album was introduced via Since We've Been Wrong, a straight up ballad.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Since its big shot radio debut, The Malkin Jewel (which I assume has nothing to do with the NHL's current scoring leader but hey anything is possible) has gone up for streaming at the band's official website, where you can also throw in your pre-order for Noctourniquet, which sees official release March 27 via Warner Bros.