IT'S too easy to dismiss this band as background music for the Pizza Express/Ikea generation, or a third-class Air.

Granted, second album When It Falls was an almost seamless continuation of their debut, Simple Things, but since that was near perfect, who's to complain?

With their trademark layers of lush music and vocals, Zero 7 slide easily into the late-night listening, chill-out genre. What lifts them to the fore are their gifts for writing seductive songs and discovering fabulous vocalists Mozez and Sia Furler on Simple Things and Tina Dico on When It Falls.

Jose Gonzalez is the principal guest here, sounding not unlike James Taylor. He takes turns at the mic with Sia Furler, displaying her usual nasal acrobatics, and the dreamy vocals of Henry Binns (half of the Zero 7 double act with Sam Hardaker).

Along with the new vocalists comes a new sound: a sort of folky/chill-out, with an invitation to unwind on a sun-lounger with a glass of Pimms rather than on the leather sofa with a vodka and coke.

The summer mood swamps you from the beginning, with gentle guitar and Gonzalez's effortless and harmonised vocal in Futures. Track two, the catchy single Throw It All Away, has you daydreaming of driving an open-top sports car by the sea.

The album was recorded in the Somerset countryside, which helps explain its gorgeous summer vibe. Open your mind, and your ears, and enjoy.