As much as I loved Simple Things, I wasn’t necessarily holding my breath for Zero 7’s follow-up. I would have been happy with their debut being their only release, because quite frankly, it was THAT good. Comparisons to Air aside, it was a near-perfect masterpiece of electronic soul that was undeniably powerful and moving. So imagine my excitement when I found out about their sophomore effort, When It Falls. And while I’m torn as to whether or not it surpasses its predecessor, it is yet another amazing musical journey, to say the least.

The beauty of When It Falls begins with London producers Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns, and continues with the dedicated musicians they’ve assembled. Along with returning vocalists Mozez, Sia Furler, and Sophie Baker, joined by Tina Dico, the album is rich with transcendent melodies and a wealth of layers. Showcasing less in the way of electronic influences, When It Falls harkens back to the days of seventies soul, funk, and easy rock, even moreso than Simple Things. While not necessarily breaking new ground, there can be no fault when the music proves so evocative, as is the case with When It Falls. Tracks such as ‘Home’, with its sultry vocals and ominous horns as the song draws to its resounding close, set the tone for the album, as every track makes listeners crave the next. Better still, the fact that the album never feels stagnant. Even after the lullaby-like tearjerker, ‘Over Our Heads’, the album regains its momentum with the jazz club vibe of ‘Passing By’, featuring my favorite Zero 7 collaborator, Sophie Baker. To say nothing of ‘Speed Dial No. 2’, so mellow and easy, as to distract you from what may or may not be a song about being available for a booty call. It’s that subtlety to the music and lyrics, that makes When It Falls such a joy to listen to. Of course it wouldn’t be a Zero 7 album without a few instrumentals thrown in for good measure, including ‘Look Up’, with Latin-infused drums and acoustic guitar, accompanied beautifully by Brilliant Strings.

Not quite perfect, When It Falls is easily one of the more satisfying albums I’ve heard in years. From start to finish, it bridges the gap between old and new, rarely missing a step; capturing emotions with breathtaking compositions, each more painstakingly crafted than the one before.