Holy Fire, Transgressive/ Warners ****

It's good to plan ahead. For Foals, even without the sonic leap that distinguished Total Life Forever, their third album is an unapologetic attempt at seducing the masses. Spaciously co-produced by Flood and Alan Moulder, the precocious Oxford five-piece are, musically, well up to the task of matching their grand aspirations. Where angular indie tunes once lurked now stride big songs – terrific multi-tempo blends of pop, funk and rock – designed for big venues. Frontman Yannis Philippakis's doleful voice is suited to dreamy soul-searchers like Out of the Woods and Stepson, but his thin timbre drags Late Night and Milk Black Spiders down from the vast heights they're aiming for. Far from flawless but interesting enough to raise the question: where to next? foals.co.uk

Download: Bad Habit, Out of the Woods, Stepson