Barbara Master Swan Recordings ***

It seems like only yesterday that We Are Scientists escaped from the lab, but 10 years on, the trio (including new addition Andy Burrows, ex-Razorlight drummer) haven't modified their musical formula in any huge way. Their fourth studio effort is indubitably glutted with the kind of catchy songs that brought them to prominence – tracks that tunefully chug and snap ( Nice Guys) and incite mass foot- tapping (You Should Learn). Yet it mostly sounds like Keith Murray & co are happy to traipse over well-worn ground that sounded dated three years ago. Sure, the Californians do jerky alt.rock with a side of cheeky lyricism well, but it's a synth-fluttered mini-epic ( Pittsburgh) and a rocky Fleetwood Mac/Beatles mash-up ( Central AC) that really stoke the Bunsen burners. A slightly more experimental approach may work wonders next time around. See wearescientists. com

Download tracks: Pittsburgh, Central A