There seems to be a lot of new music coming out of the North lately but amongst the heaps of new music we receive this album is a real cut above the rest. Stateless are a bunch of mates since schooling in Leeds and have made one of the most diverse records of the year so far. For the mighty Dj Shadow to describe them as the “nearest thing to perfection I’ve heard in a long time” its not a surprise that  these boys are more than your average bunch of lads trying to do something new by fusing the old and new styles of music making.

Dj Shadow has already called upon vocalist Chris James to co-write and sing on two tracks for his new record “The Outsider”, and I’m sure he won’t be the last to acquire the services from the new sounds of the North. The more traditional side of Stateless are made up of Chris James (vocals) Justin Percival (bass) and David Levin (drums), but adding the flares of turntablism courtesy of (Kidkanevil) and seamless programming of (Rod) this lot are everything - but traditional.

From the brooding tones of “Prism#1” the album’s opener, Stateless lock you in a forty six minute bubble with Thom Yorke, Tori Amos and Dj Shadow himself that glows intense vocals, stunning piano loops and intelligently programmed broken beats. “Exit” track two on the record is a sublime mix of technology, turntablism and monster beats showing the slightly more force-full side of the Leeds five piece.  As the “Exit” dust settles the haunting keys of “Bloodstream” assure that the first two tracks aren’t just flukes, as this debut album is as consistent in providing epic tracks as Amy Wino claiming “fatigue”. “Bluetrace” has a real Portishead feel to it with a dark moody feel brought to life by a great show of turntablism that builds and builds into one the biggest tracks on the album.

This really a great record that sounds and looks the business, it’s caught Roots Manuva’s eye who had this to say on Stateless situation, “I thought I was deep, but these f**kers are really deep”.

With these tunes in your ears waiting in a traffic-jam has never been so rewarding.           

by Neil

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