New State Vinyl & CDs

Review: Say hello once again to an old friend - mid '00s lounge soundtrackers extraordinaire Zero 7 are reissuing their second LP When It Falls. The follow-up to their best-selling "Simple Things", this album found the pair exploring a more psychedelic, funky sound without losing that smooth finish that made their music so massively popular first time round. From the laid back groove of "Passing By" to the brooding soul of the title track, this is the kind of album that goes down easy and sets the perfect mood in the room. The production is second to none, and considering the eye-watering prices the original pressing fetches online, there should be a lot of people happy to see this one back in print.

Review: 17 years old and still sounding refreshing, light, breezy, soulful and smoky; the essence and vibe of Zero 7's debut album can never be repeated, but it can be repressed. Its first reissue since 2015, across two 12"s you can enjoy some of the best downtempo and poppy Balearica made by the duo Binns & Hardaker and a young Sia on vocals. Highlights, as always, include the dreamy lounge lapping jazz of "Red Dust", the fizzy Motown on mushrooms horns of "Give It Away" and the heartmelting yearns of "Distractions". Timeless downtempo gold, if this isn't in your collection now is most definitely the time.