Never, Never Land

Unkle’s debut album, Psyence Fiction was undeniably of its time (1998) and place (Cool Britannia), and was a paean to modernity and pre-millennial tension. It was also a true testament to both the musical sleight of hand of DJ Shadow and the creative acumen of collaborator/Mo’ Wax label boss James Lavelle.

The temptation to keep their feet firmly on the dancefloor must have been strong but Never, Never Land finds UNKLE producing a record that’s just as listenable at home as it is in a club.

The acoustic-ish ‘Eye For An Eye’ demonstrates a willingness to be flexible and a little earthy, whereas ‘In A State’ is a trance-y number that wouldn’t sound out of place on the Faithless setlist. ‘Safe In Mind’ is a definite high point, and its evocative experimentalism places Unkle in the same arena as heavyweights like Massive Attack or Chemical Brothers.

In short the album is equally as good as its predecessor, yet its greater depth means it’s unlikely to go out of fashion quite as hastily. Coming out the other side of the millennium may have been worth it for our boys after all.