Cobra and Phases adds a few new wrinkles to the Stereolab sound, most notably a greater jazziness (especially on the opening track, "Fuses") that's probably due to the increased presence of players from Chicago's post-rock/avant-jazz cabal. But overall, the British-based band's sixth album represents a refining of the '60s pop, exotica, Krautrock, and avant-garde influences that had become a part of Stereolab's DNA by that point. If anything, the band lovingly sport some of their influences on their sleeve, as with "The Free Design," named after the '60s harmony group that helped inspired Stereolab's signature vocal blend.