The ultra-quirky Swedish quartet who count Blur frontman Damon Albarn among ardent fans (Albarn actually recruited them for Gorillaz album Plastic Beach) are back with a third studio album; a bold yet insightful follow-up to their eponymous 2007 debut and 2009 sequel Machine Dreams.

Following on from that last album Ritual Union focuses on sprightly experimental pop, propelled by kooky, folk-edged vocals, retro-synths, meaty analogue drums and flecks of house attitude. A very different dance album around which the media hype is already beginning to build.

Little Dragon get their name from a nickname Swedish-Japanese lead singer Yukimi Nagano earned while recording in the studio, frequently frustrated by the creative process.

Ritual Union is out on Peacefrog on July 25.