As pretty well every indie-pop devotee in the world knows by now, the Arctic Monkeys’ first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, became the fastest-selling debut album in British history, soundly besting such little-known acts as The Beatles and Oasis. The precocious quartet continues to smash records with its sophomore album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, released in late April. All 12 songs appeared in the top 200 on the U.K. Singles Chart—the first time all the songs from one album have placed on the list concurrently. The phenoms hold even retail giant HMV in their young palms: CEO Simon Fox has publicly stated that the new Monkeys album (along with the final book in the Harry Potter series) will help boost sagging sales this summer. The natives of Sheffield, England, shrug off the burden that comes with such expectations: “We really don’t care,” says Jamie Cook, 21-year-old lead guitarist. “We just get on with it. We don’t get involved in all that hype.”

That hype was deafening when the Monkeys were last in Toronto a year ago, opening for Oasis at the ACC and headlining at the Phoenix the following night. Arena touring, however, is not in the band’s immediate future: “I prefer old theatres or clubs. Don’t get me wrong—playing with Oasis at that arena in Toronto was incredible. But it doesn’t have the same energy or vibe of a club, you know?” says Cook. The band promises a much longer set than their scant 25-minute ACC one, with a mix of songs from both albums: “I think we’ll play almost all of our songs. We don’t have too many, you know.”

When asked about the band’s sudden rise to the top of the sales chart, Cook dismisses the popular notion that the Internet played a pivotal role: “Load of bollocks, innit? I can’t even use the fucking Internet. We played a lot in Sheffield—twice, three times a week—then went to Newcastle after developing a fan base, playing in pubs with 200 people. Then it just exploded. I can’t explain it.” Cook does believe, however, that the Internet is an effective tool to gain exposure in a hyper-competitive industry, but cautions that such exposure doesn’t guarantee success: “Many bands sound great on MySpace because their recording is good. But live, they’re shit. You gotta sound good live, or else the Internet is useless.”

The group’s been influenced by a variety of musicians—on the new album, grime superstar Dizzee Rascal in particular, as well as a certain equally successful Canadian band. “Arcade Fire are amazing. I saw them at the Leeds Festival a few years ago and they were really good. They’re even better now. Their new album is incredible.” Both bands played the Coachella Music Festival at the end of April, where the Monkeys were bowled over by the Montreal band’s antic energy. The Monkeys are no slouches in that department, either, but theirs is an energy tempered by a newfound, surprising maturity in their songwriting. While the band’s debut disc chronicled youthful misadventure (tussles with cops, underage drinking, nightclubbing, prostitution), their second album dwells on love, heartache and the vagaries of sudden fame. Both, however, are tricked out with rollicking, smile-inducing melodies. Expect a sweaty, packed dance floor.

Arctic Monkeys plays the Kool Haus, May 11. $29.50. 132 Queens Quay W. They return to play the Virgin Festival on September 8.