Zero 7 – Yeah Ghost

UK down-tempo duo Zero 7 has returned with an album that sounds unlike the back catalogue. Four albums deep, Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker are still striving for interesting new ground. Although Yeah Ghost will be dubbed trip-hop by most, Binns and Hardaker have injected plenty of pop sensibilities and hooks into the template.

In places, the album has a quirky dance-pop sound that is similar to Basement Jaxx and in others they opt for some straight acoustic folk sounds. What ties these opposing genres together is an otherworldliness: be it a cut-up, stop-start vocal or their knack for chilling guitar riffs. It seems like the guys always get in early with up-and-coming vocalists (Sia or Jose Gonzalez spring to mind) and for their fourth album it is Eska Mtungwazi who sounds brilliant on numerous outings.

Soulful electronica? Breezy soundscapes? Proper, hum-along pop tunes?