We Are Scientists are a band who are not afraid to take a few risks.

First making waves following the release of 'With Love and Squalor' 16 years ago, the US two-piece have become known for their unique brand of quirky indie rock, packed with humour, dance inducing guitar riffs and rousing choruses.

However, not content to rest on their laurels, the duo have decided on a change of direction for their fifth album, going all out pop.

"It was no accident," says bassist Chris Cain. "This was what we wanted to do on this record.

"It's definitely veering a little bit more towards pop than our previous records. The last record I think was a little cooler, a little more indie rock and the choruses were sometimes understated and just felt like another part of the song but this record is far more in line with pop's vision of a giant chorus that gives a big lift in the song."

The album exudes humour and charm, placing the band's rock sensibilities and tales of relationships in a glossier, pop wrapping.

It may seem like an unusual direction for the pair but it was former band member Max Hart who helped turn their desire to create a pop record into reality.

"I think a lot of it came from working with Max, who produced it for us and is also an old friend," says Chris. "Max was our keyboardist on our second record and then he went and joined Katy Perry's band so he has this really great pop sensibility. He brought a great glossiness to the keyboard and drum textures that I think fitted really well with these particular songs."

Despite releasing four albums that have made it into the UK charts and five top forty singles, Chris says that the band do not take anything for granted.

"I don't know what the key to our longevity has been," he says. "To be completely realistic that could cease to be the case at any time. It seems to me undeniably true that we could sit down to write the next album and all the songs that we write could just feel really tired and uninteresting and we might suddenly realise that we don't have anything that needs to be broadcast to the general public any more.

"The fact is that when we do get around to sitting down and writing songs, the stuff that we create still seems really cool and exciting to us and when we show it to our label they're excited too so we put the thing out. If at some point all our fans or our collaborators just say 'Man, you guys have lost it' that's going to be fine."

Beyond their pounding basslines and punchy guitar riffs, the group are also known for their humour, something which Chris says has helped him and frontman Keith Murray deal with their rise from 'hobby band' to rock darlings.

"We have always felt that there was something a little bit funny about being a rock star," says Chris. "That's probably a little bit of an overstatement for We Are Scientists, we're not playing stadiums or anything, but even playing in front of 500 or 1,000 kids and having them sing along to your songs, there's something very strange that we react to by laughing. I think some people react to it by feeling all powerful. Some people maybe just feel sincere gratitude and don't need to laugh about it. We find it humorous, not in a mocking way, just in a life is funny type of way."

The US band are also paying close attention to what’s currently going on in the US elections and the backing that Donald Trump, who recently claimed Scotland would help him become President, is receiving.

Read more: Scotland will help me become the next US President, says Donald Trump

Chris says that he thinks support for the US entrepreneur, who owns two golf courses in Scotland, in the presidential race is a cry for help from the electorate and he hopes it’s one that politicians will listen to.

“I think it’s tragic [that Donald Trump is getting so much support] but not difficult to understand”, says Chris. “It’s not mindboggling. I think the political class in the United States has earned the disillusionment that voters feel and if you think of Trump as a way for voters to basically tell the political class to f**k off then it makes a lot of sense.

“I think, unfortunately, if we were to elect Trump we would be cutting off our nose to spite our face and, with any luck at all, that will not be what comes of this, but, as an opportunity to shake up American politicians and let them know that we are not pleased with the way that things have been going on the left or the right, I think it’s a perfectly valid bit of expression.

“Trump himself is a revolting, racist monster but that’s part of what is necessary to grab the attention of the Republican party and politics at large here.”

Read more: Hillary Clinton 'playing the woman card', says Donald Trump

The group are now preparing to showcases their new material with a show at Glasgow's Stag and Dagger Festival on May 1.

"As performers we are incredibly eager to please so we play all of our hits," Chris says. "We'll obviously be playing some music from the new record which is sounding amazing in rehearsals. I think these songs are going to sound absolutely massive live so I'm looking forward to dropping some jaws with these tunes.

"Scottish audiences are among the very finest of crowds. The fans usually exhibit the perfect combination of taste, drunkenness and recollection of your lyrics so they can sing along."

We Are Scientists play the Stag and Dagger festival on Sunday, May 1.