A Brit raised on the outskirts of London with a bigger imagination than he could control, Ben Howard began writing songs in his youth. He took a hefty influence from musically inclined parents, who introduced him to the likes of Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell and Simon & Garfunkel.

The impact of these names reigns clear on his sound, ranging from his first studio album, 2011’s Every Kingdom, to his widely beloved 2014 album I Forget Where We Were. Howard has undergone quite the turbulent journey, but he’e back with a new gem, Noonday Dream. The wordsmith manages to transition intelligently into electronic zest without shocking his audiences too much with his vivid transformation.

On opening track “Nica Libres At Dusk,” the eerie emotional riffs remain consistent while Ben Howard adds some ornamental shakers and maracas to update the percussion. This percussion lingers in his fairytale-like tune “There’s Your Man.” A swoon-worthy guitar intro picks up suddenly with some staccato drum beats, adding a layered flavor to the simple beginning. The sound progresses into a more complicated alt-rock dynamic charged with heavier musicality.

Howard has a knack for bringing unique musical derivation to the forefront with his instrumentation. Noonday Dream features several tracks entrenched in melodic chaos, breaking new ground for the songbird. “A Boat To An Island On The Wall” starts out in what could be mistaken for clamored auto traffic. At the song’s midway point, old Howard begins to shine through with voiced staccato, but he makes sure it remains reinvented and innovative through synthy The 1975-esque patterns that he hasn’t really used on his previous records.

Remaining equally as messy on the interlude “All Down The Mines,” Howard recalls Mac Demarco with demure reverb, serving as a delightful break from the overwhelming instrumentation housed on the rest of the album.

The singer departed from the indie folk specificity and implements a sultry and technical sound with fewer acoustics. Howard embraces a soft rock-infused vibe, with long-winded pacing. The melody is layered using sexy electric guitar, which is a flip from his instrumentation on Every Kingdom. On “Agatha’s Song,” he revisits a power ballad feel filled with meandering bass lines. The reverb intensifies toward the end, breathing life into the song.

Noonday Dream‘s ominous foreboding dynamic allows Howard to take up the role of a likable, yet spooky narrator. Single, “Toeing The Line” flows from his lips like honey, driven by acoustic guitar.

On “Murmurations,” Howard presents a ghostly dynamic, highlighted by siren-like reverb. A song like this can definitely be labeled as risky for a record filled with more accessible elements. His unlikely choice for a closer appears to prove endearing with lyrical jaded honesty.

Ben Howard has struck dire apprehension into the hearts of his fans during his absence, leaving them wondering where his career would take him. Noonday Dream shows he can stay true to himself while switching up his style.

Follow Vic Silva at Twitter.com/VicSilvaaaa.