THE once wildly eccentric four-piece have pared down their sound on their latest record, with synths and keys taking an even more prominent role at the expense of the guitars that underpinned their early sound.

The fourth album finds the Beasts – Hayden Thorpe, Ben Little, Tom Fleming and Chris Talbot – in a darker mood, the lyrics embracing wider subject matter than the sex, lust and love trinity they perfected.

Opener and lead single Wanderlust sets the tone with driving synths providing the backdrop for a meditation on greed and entitlement – its menacing but beautifully-sung refrain can’t help but bring Radiohead to mind.

The album may be too serious for some, but stick with it because the band are now masters of songcraft and, over repeated listens, the album slowly reveals itself as a thing of beauty.