Simple Things

When it comes to chill-out music, artists tend to fall into two camps.

The first uses the ‘less is more’ approach, and creates the musical equivalent of sticking your head underneath a whirlpool – all eddies and swirling bits of aural seaweed.

The second takes the same tack, but actually goes to the trouble of conceiving uncomplicated but fabulous tunes that hang suspended in the air or fade in and out brilliantly.

With their debut album, Simple Things, Zero 7 make a bold bid for greatness, but all too often produce tunes that sound quite nice without ever being truly striking or engaging.

That said, the tracks on which vocalists feature grow with every listen. Sia Furler’s sultry, distinctive voice perfectly complements the warm guitar riffs on ‘Destiny’, while first single ‘I Have Seen’ poignantly blends the melancholy strains of Mozez’s voice with vibey keyboards and a stately backbeat.

Much of the time, though, this record sounds like its producers are rehearsing for a career in writing and arranging soundtracks. Almost every song sounds drawn-out and extended beyond the limits of any hook that makes it really interesting.

While Simple Things is often lovely in a kind of funk-classical, laid-back way, there’s just not enough here to grab onto.

Good within its field, but not outstanding.