Stateless – Matilda

Leeds outfit Stateless' debut album of a few years back effortlessly mixed jazzy, electronic beats with singer Chris James' earnest vocals — think somewhere between Thom Yorke and Chris Martin — in a way which appealed to fans of fellow genre-melders Portishead and The Herbaliser. And from the opener Curtain Call — a bluesy, industrial piece, helmed by James' Jeff Buckley-esque vocals and kidkanevil's sterling drum programming — to the dubby, nu-soul of Ariel, it's clear that for their sophomore effort the group have cranked things up a notch. Miles To Go sounds like a nu-jazz take on Nine Inch Nails' world-weary industrialism, while Junior is a poignant blues/gospel piece where James croons 'you're too young to die, your blood is full of energy' over a mournful chorus and strings. The songs are less clear-cut this time around, and demand deeper listening, but equally they are more rewarding too. [Martin Skivington]