★★★★☆
Over two previous albums this quartet have placed themselves firmly on the quirkier side of alternative pop, jumping from rock to electro to art school surrealism, frequently in the same song. The novelty might have worn off by now were it not that Django Django cement such disparate elements into the age-old craft of solid songwriting.
Space-age echoes, a shuffling rockabilly beat and a shouty chorus make Tic Tac Toe the kind of invigorating tune ideal for accompanying a chase scene in a movie. Surface to Air takes an awkward step towards Jamaican dancehall with the help of the guest singer Rebecca Taylor; surely not a good idea for nerdy indie musicians, but somehow they get away with it.
Meanwhile, Sundials samples the Czech-born progressive jazzer Jan Hammer, best known for the theme tune to Miami Vice, in a delightfully plaintive glide through cocktail-friendly soft rock.
As to what it all means, who knows? But when it sounds as good as this, who cares? (Because)