Basement Jaxx Scars

Some bands enjoy years of success, with all the canonical peaks and troughs; yet over time become disorientated with the original plot the rudimentary goal which drove them to their craft to begin with. Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe have been on a decade long journey which has awarded them ticks in all the desired boxes. But not until now have they felt the full effects from the long slog."There's a good reason why the new record is called Scars," said Felix in our recent interview. "Making it has been a grueling process. When we completed recording, it felt like we'd come out of a boxing ring". It translates. Scars is a meticulously well thought out record that reflects patience and a genuine scholastic approach to the genre; although not the record that they initially intended to write. "It's a very different record to the one we originally set out to make, it's changed a lot in the last six months." The original catalyst was a chance meet and great with Yoko Ono, which over the the weeks, evolved into a musical collaboration. That track 'Day of Sunflowers' sees a powerful stanza delivered by the shrieker of peace over a robust bass line - a stand out track on the album.The collaborations flow in a creative stream throughout the whole record. Eli Paper Boy Reed contributes driving '50s style vocals over the top of an addictive foot tapper. 'She's No Good'; a personal reflection piece for Buxton, touching on the subject of a relationship abroad and the lamentable ending to which it came. 'Saga' is topically similar with a beat that plays to guest Santigold's strengths. Yo Majesty, Paloma Faith and Sam Sparro make cameos elsewhere, the latter on most recent single 'Feeling's Gone'.

Initially concerned about the album taking a dark direction, Buxton and Ratcliffe strategically placed the no brainer 'Raindrops' into proceedings. "The idea was to do something that felt similar and make a track for clubs," said Simon. For anyone who was magnetised to the Basement Jaxx sound via previous floor filler 'Where's Your Head', 'Raindrops' follows suit. As dance music continues to evolve at a rapid rate, the mainstays are few and far between. Basement Jaxx continue to sample from the fountain of youth and remain at the forefront of popular music as a result.