“Time for us to disappear into the ether for a while, y’all stay crazy forever”.

Japandroids picked a hell of a time to drop off the radar. Their announcement of a hiatus came at a career peak – a time in which the cult two-piece from Vancouver looked set to take over the world with their brand of chaotic, righteous rock and roll.

Their second album and commercial breakthrough ‘Celebration Rock’ enjoyed rave reviews and significantly widened the band’s audience. A raw, uncompromising LP compared with Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ by critics, Japandroids’ second effort was a landmark release capable of saving rock and roll all on its own.

Murmurings began of a return in July, and the news of a comeback tour that followed left fans salivating at the prospect of new material.

Now, finally, it appears 2013’s great disappearing act is back for good. Frontman Brian King and drummer David Prowse are currently tearing up venues on the other side of the Pacific, and in the last week or so fan recordings of new tracks have emerged.

Amateur footage should always be taken with a pinch of salt. With that said, Japandroids were never a band hailed for their intricate production, and there’s little indication the duo are pursuing a new sonic direction – new cuts share the same sense of raw, youthful energy that made ‘Celebration Rock’ such a special record.