Maps - We Can Create

Touching down amid a climate of sizeable anticipation, Maps' (aka bedroom producer James Chapman) debut album proves to be something of a disappointment. Marshalling processed guitars, tastefully glitching beats and synthetic basslines which sound like they've been lifted from an M83 record, Chapman creates an impressive sound - but ultimately his bag of production tricks can't mask the fact that Chapman is a pretty average songwriter. The situation isn't helped by Chapman's bland, slightly irritating vocals, which weigh down his compositions when they should actually be soaring. Focusing on the positives, Chapman does create some moments of real, shimmering beauty on this record, and the mainstream-friendly pop sheen that pervades the album will no doubt find favour among a certain audience. Ultimately though, Chapman sounds like he's playing it safe during the majority of We Can Create, and his obvious talent never crystallises into anything genuinely interesting. It just sounds too nice. And nice is not good enough. [Jay Shukla]