On their dynamic fourth LP, Canterbury quartet Syd Arthur remains untethered to the past or present, continuing to refine their fusion of prog, psych-pop, jazz and folk. Much fuss has been made over the band’s lineage, both geographical (following ’70s legends like Caravan and Soft Machine) and genetic (violinist-keyboardist Raven Bush is the nephew of art-pop legend Kate Bush). But Apricity, like its stellar predecessor, 2014’s Sound Mirror, uses those infl uences only as a launching pad. The space-funk of “No Peace” recalls vintage Canterbury Scene quirkiness, but infused with the stoned groove of psychedelic peers Tame Impala. There are moments of pure muscle flexing—like droning instrumental “Portal,” a synth-heavy exploration set in 7/8. And Bush’s strings o er the band a classically trained regality—like the eerie textures of “Into Eternity” and surging counterpoint of “Coal Mine.” But even at their densest, Syd Arthur never pounds on for more than five minutes, and Liam Magill’s bluesy croon roots these songs in the verse-chorus format. (See: stutter-stepping single “Sun Rays.”) Syd Arthur is a rare beast: ornate enough for classic prog fans, catchy enough for modern-rock radio.