The Isle Of Wight six-piece have spent some of their three-year hiatus since Free The Bees on constructing their own budget version of Abbey Road studios, where their last record was laid down. Cue the laid-back, instrument-swapping birth of Octopus, re

The Isle Of Wight six-piece have spent some of their three-year hiatus since Free The Bees on constructing their own 'budget version' of Abbey Road studios, where their last record was laid down.

Cue the laid-back, instrument-swapping birth of Octopus, recorded and tweaked at their own pace.

The summery, melody-laden psychedelia of the 60s survives the transition, as does their love for copious amounts of Hammond organ, saxophone, trumpet, and even some bongo action alongside guitar, bass and drums.

But the benefits of a relaxed approach shine through Octopus, full of informal but densely layered, pneumatic and uplifting tunes.

Not hugely original, but still a lot of fun. 3/5