Maps - 'We Can Create' (Mute) Released 14/05/07

So-called "bedroom genius" James Chapman has been beavering away for years in said bedroom. Much admiration has come his way from Valgeir Sigurdsson (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Bjork) and Ken Thomas (Sigur Ros, Hope Of The States) to name but two. Despite this, Chapmen refused to emerge until every last note had been tinkered to perfection. This time around, we are treated to not just the odd track that has been sending critics head over heels, but a whole album full. The results are really quite special. It combines some Grandaddy-esqe song-writing with awe inspiring Sigur Ros style soundscapes, and all without a computer to boot.

Opener 'So Low So High' is fuzzy with static, instantly catchy as Chapman's hushed layered vocal strangely croons "you feel so low, then you feel so high." There is very little difference between the verse and chorus, it just all seems to be propelled along by hypnotic beat. The hazy, melodic climate has echos of Death In Vegas' 'Aisha' but most striking of all is the seemingly endless, vast sound scape which is conjured up before your ears. I refuses to make sense. 'You Won't Know Her Name' continues in this vein with a chorus that joyfully swoops and soars, saturated in electronic blips and bumps. The singing style very odd and jerky, each word pronounced with the gap in between, and very clearly. The background is filled with shooting stars, fizzing distortion, clear ecstatic piano and pure, free rumblings.There is an explosion of energy and emotion before everything ends rather suddenly with a rattling sound.

'It Will Find You' is a formerly released hit single and begins slightly unsteady on it's legs with electronic blips with sparse hand claps in between. The vocal sweeps in from all angles with a distinct Pet Shop Boys feel, "take what you choose, to leave behind you, love, what you use, and it will find you". The large instrumental parts are balanced with the sparse vocal which seems to come back each time with greater force. There's almost threatening tone, along with what sounds like an alarm going off in background. Not at all relaxing to listen and builds a sense of panic before ending with a wet crackle, like fireworks in the rain.