AS we wait with bated breath for the launch of the Wombats' third album 'Glitterbug' this Spring, we can see the Indy trio in the flesh this week as they come to Bristol's O2 Academy as part of a European tour.

In addition to continuing work on their third album, 2014 has also seen The Wombats tour extensively with numerous festival dates in Australia and mainland Europe including Rock Werchter, Hurricane Festival and Field Day.

When it came to recording the new album, The Wombats changed course from the plan which dictated their second album, This Modern Glitch. Instead of collaborating with an army of star names, the majority of the album was recorded at Bastille producer Mark Crew’s studio in Battersea. Vitally, Crew exuded a calming influence to counteract the band’s shared collection of irrational neuroses.

Glitterbug certainly demonstrates that their efforts have resulted in the band’s finest album to date. Your Body is a Weapon – inspired by the sight of a disinterested pap snapping Harry Styles after an awards party – was first to emerge when it was released as a stop-gap sweetener to the band’s devoted fanbase.

Excitingly for the band, Emoticons is a track which is often met with a “is that you guys?” reaction when played to outsiders; the elastic bass that permeates I Just Wanna Be Your Shadow imbues the track with a pulsating disco rhythm; while Greek Tragedy floats an East Asian-infused synth riff over booming, distorted drum beats.

Collectively it snakes subconsciously into the leftfield but it’s recognisably The Wombats.

The Wombats play Bristol's O2 Academy on Wednesday, April 8.