UNKLE - 'Where Did The Night Fall' (Surrender All) Released: 10/05/10

UNKLE’s decision to release ‘Where Did The Night Fall’ on May 10 has absolutely nothing to do with the General Election four days earlier. Yet, just has Britain enters a new era, UNKLE will showcase theirs and in truth Nick Clegg’s got nothing on these boys.  

Pulsating beats, layered melodies and exquisite vocals have become such a standard from James Lavelle and his partner in crime the Psychonauts’ Pablo Clements that it’s now considered a dead cert each time they enter the studio together. Fresh from a second Global Underground mix tape and DJ slots around the world, Lavelle is overtly more confident with his own abilities behind the mixing desk and, together with Clements, the focus is very much on making great music rather than signing new bands.   

Opener ‘Nowhere’ sets the tone for the album with its atmospheric subtle key changes not dissimilar to Slam’s ‘Intensities in Ten Cities’. Although cut short at 41 seconds, it would have been interesting to see where this went rather than sucking it to its conclusion. 

‘Heavy Drug’ was released last year under various guises, and while this is only 1 minute 15 seconds long it should not be overlooked. The echoed line: “You’re my heavy drug / I need your love” is right out of the Stone Roses handbook which King Unique turn into a nine-minute wonder with their Smoke Nest Mix. (Youtube it. It is very much worth your time.) 

‘Follow Me Down’ uses the punchy beat of ‘Restless’ juxtaposed with Sleepy Sun’s soaring vocal range, which bridges to ‘Nowhere’ before completely dismissing it. There is a continuity to the album that keeps it driving forward whilst keeping one eye on the rear view mirror. Vocals are strong throughout, used more as an instrument rather than in their own right, with Gavin Clark and Joel Cadbury returning once again on what is a much more electronic album than ‘War Stories’ was. 

‘The Answer’ is beautiful and up there with the best tracks to come off the UNKLE conveyor belt, across all albums. Using firstly keys, layered with harmonies, then later guitar strings to bridge into a marching drum beat, the effect is powerful yet gentle which is no mean feat. The lyrics are that strong they would work as an acapella. (“Here we are burning up in our cars / And in our hearts. Better days, sleeping late with our headaches / Perfect weather. Congregate, lay in wait for an answer / They’re still waiting with your tea, the lucky taste as the day breaks / The blind are leading the blind.”) 

‘On A Wire’ smashes through that gentile beauty with a 10-second synth looped into a fast-paced, tough, chunky beat; the contrast is more delightful than a fresh batch of Mr Kipling’s apple pies. Vocals again steal the show, with ELLE J’s breathless refrain. 

As the album progresses, the beats gets tougher (think Neil Ruddock not Danny Dyer) and the melodies more trippy as ELLE J sings again on ‘The Runaway’, before Mark Lanegan draws the album to a climax with ‘Another Night Out.’ His unmistakeable gravely tone brings tears to the eyes. The emotion produced by the strings and synths is on a par with ‘Lonely Soul’ and is quite simply exceptional.

This is UNKLE absolutely at the top of their game and long may it continue.