Seraphina Lotkhamnga on May 10th, 2011

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It’s been three years since Friendly Fires‘ eponymous and Mercury Prize-nominated debut, but it sounds like the brief hiatus to focus on recording has allowed them to tighten up their soaring dance music for a crisper sound. Although the English band has been labeled as “dance-punk” thanks to lush shoegaze melodies underneath their strong pop hooks, their latest album, “Pala” (out on May 24 via XL Recordings) includes heavier elements of funk this time around yielding choruses that echo even louder. Despite deriving their album title from the doomed utopia in Aldous Huxley’s “Island,” it isn’t surprising to hear that their new songs don’t stray far from the high-energy vibes during their live performances. “Blue Cassette,” with its appropriate tape reversing, distorted samples and lyrics such as “This is my heart on fire,” sounds rather bright in a Cut Copy-like delivery making it a dance anthem dedicated to all lovers who reminisce.

||| Download: “Blue Cassette” in exchange for your e-mail address on their website, or from the widget after the jump.

||| Live: Friendly Fires plays June 10 at the Music Box.