They’re a glass act

Oxford band Glass Animals’ debut album Zaba earned them both critical and commercial success and saw them talked about as purveyours of classy leftfield indie pop alongside the likes of Wild Beasts, the xx and Alt-J.

The problems of second album syndrome are well documented as bands struggle to produce more than an inferior version of their first efforts.

But there are no such problems for this talented quartet as they breeze through album two.

In part that might be due to an intriguing way songwriter and singer Dave Bayley sought lyrical inspiration for characters who he built songs around.

He explained: “I try to sneakily record people and I have hours and hours of these amazing rants from taxi drivers, strange people we meet outside of shows, people at parties. People say the strangest stuff when they don’t think they are ever gonna see you again.’’

First single and opening track Life Itself is an immense introduction to How To Be A Human Being.

There’s nothing straight forward about their songs – and quirky they might be but their inventiveness is never irritating.

Their music skilfully blends hip-hop and soul influences withbig bouncy exotic indie pop.

It’s a winning combination – Youth, Take A Slice and Agnes – are all deliciously different but all hit the sweet spot.

These boys are a very smart outfit. To be in with a chance of winning this album answer this question. What country did Dave Bayley grow up in? Entries to, Animals, Nigel Thornton, Peterborough Telegraph, Unex House - Suite B,Bourges Boulevard, Peterborough, PE1 1NG by September 9.

Glass Animals