Super Furry Animals' fifth album, and their first since the implosion of former label Creation Records, 2002's RINGS AROUND THE WORLD is as just as sprawling as their earlier records. But where albums like FUZZY LOGIC and RADIATOR sometimes sounded unfocused in the way they leapt from sunshiny psych-pop songs to electronic dance music flirtations, RINGS AROUND THE WORLD solidifies all of the group's various influences into a more easily digestible sound that plays to the group's melodic strengths. For example, the dreamy "Juxtaposed With U" blends '70s-style Philly soul strings with a loopy guitar-and-beatbox verse, and the title track mixes Stereolab's driving rhythm and vintage electronics with the album's most immediately catchy chorus. Wildly varied without being as muddled as some of their earlier releases, RINGS AROUND THE WORLD is one of Super Furry Animals' best efforts.

• Genre: Rock
• Format: Vinyl
• Released: 2/15/2019