The problem when indie bands “go disco” is that half the time their audience doesn’t know how to dance. The new album by Portland’s Unknown Mortal Orchestra may explore some dark themes, but it’s an exuberant burst of polychromatic psychedelia that deserves full-tilt toe-tapping. Tonight, however, they are met with agog faces and stiff limbs. Perhaps the audience are preoccupied with trying to piece together the story of frontman Ruban Nielson’s relationship with his wife and another woman, which has shaped their new album, Multi-Love.

Beyond the sedate venue and crowd, Unknown Mortal Orchestra drip with funk. Three albums deep, the difference between their old and new material – titillating subject matter aside – is a greater sense of groove. Ur Life One Night sounds like an early Prince track submerged in water: it has a squelchy bassline, a jerky melody, as if trying to unstick itself from a mound of toffee and a skippy drumbeat made for hip-swivelling. Multi-Love’s titular song is a proper sing-along moment, with its triple-pronged prog harmonies, unhinged soul-pop chorus and handclap breakdowns.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra are surprisingly playful. Like Acid Rain is what Stevie Wonder and Syd Barrett might have come up with had they written a children’s television theme tune together. Drummer Riley Geare does half a song standing, his kit tipping over. And Nielson dances as he plays guitar, then sits at the front of the stage, legs dangling over the edge, leaning into the audience. As they end on Can’t Stop Checking My Phone, a clickety disco ditty, you can’t help but wish other psychedelic bands didn’t take themselves so seriously.