Angels and Airwaves' 2006 debut We Don't Need to Whisper signaled the beginning of a concept that not only continues, but flourishes with the release of the band's sophomore full-length, I-Empire. That's because the San Diego-based rock group, fronted by Tom DeLonge, has always considered both We Don't Need to Whisper and I-Empire two halves of its double-album concept.

While the band's debut addressed infinite possibility in the human experience, I-Empire furthers the topic, referencing the idea that the empire that one builds exists within oneself. "It's a way of looking at the world, as the world is yours," DeLonge says.

As for I-Empire's musical foundation, DeLonge notes that it's "a hybrid of everything about alternative music that I grew up listening to, like punk rock music and new wave. I am really excited for people to hear it."