I talked a little about Stateless back in August 2005, when the group was hustling its Bloodstream EP.
I’m happy to say now Stateless has a full-length ready for release, a self-titled effort coming out June 19 on !K7. If you’re the type who likes to play name association (as I sometimes am), Stateless singer Chris James spent a good chunk of last year – 70 shows in 19 countries – touring with the great DJ Shadow (James appeared on Erase You on Shadow’s The Outsider).
On the Stateless LP, you can sense a little bit of Shadow rubbing off – pretty soundscapes punctuated by drums, both live and programmed. Mostly, Stateless (from Leeds) seamlessly blends classic piano sounds with more modern collage techniques of sampling and turntablism. It’s a tricky balance, and one the group pulls off with nary a glitch on tracks like Exit, the lead single, and Down Here, one of those songs I’m all too eager to tell friends about and put on mixes.
Stateless | ExitStateless | Down Here (studio session)
(Two more stripped-down versions of songs – Horizon and Running Out – available on the group’s Web site.)
if there’s any justice, the new album should see them getting the attention they deserve.
there’s def room for them. only heard exit, but down here is great.