Few would expect the latest offering from the five Swedes to be anything but the same, old stuff. And the sparseness of the opening song, Losing a Friend, is the signpost that Super Extra Gravity is a kaleidoscope of colours that don't match, but still work together.

Even though an array of love relationships features, the common thread is the signature Cardigans sound with a fresh youthfulness.

Long-time producer Tore Johansson, whose absence was notable on their last album, Long Gone Before Daylight (2003), has steered them down a different path.

He mixed and produced on an album that's littered with catchy melodies and clever lyrics. There are many hooks, from the rock/pop of Godspell examining religion and the joy expressed in Overload, to the feel-good tunes of In the Round and the fun, flippant Good Morning Joan.

Aside from easy-on-the-ear songs such as Little Black Cloud, the contrast is apparent with the first-release single I Like Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to be Nicer.

The album's closing song, And You Kissed Me II, fits well in its place because it picks up the theme of abusive love first rendered in Long Gone Before Daylight. The sweet voice of vocalist Nina Persson coupled with acoustic guitar gives the chilling lyrics an edge: 'Slowdancing tight/ My barren heart and I/ Your name used to taste so sweet/ Then you beat the love right out of me.'

Apart from the disappointing bonus DVD - the demo is the best part - enjoy the ride.