Chase & Status: What Came Before... and what's next? (Album Review)

Ahead of a huge weekend headlining Parklife in Manchester’s Heaton Park Chase & Status have released their new album What Came Before - and in Chase & Status’ case - the answer is a lot.

The 13-track album features not only the iconic sound of the duo's drum and bass legacy, but ventures into new genres through collaborations with some other star-studded artists such as Unknown T, Pip Millett, IRAH, and Popcaan to name a few.

The album features ‘Mixed Emotions’ which was a single released earlier in 2022, pre-empting fans budding excitement as apprehensions built leading up to the album’s release. It is an album that is unruly in sound and genre, promising universal appeal and master crafted like the Sistine chapel.

Chase & Status are fast becoming recognised as the monarchs of the UK electronic music scene and have dominated the industry for the past two decades. From a humble beginning in 2003, the pair have found international success and notability. Their collaborations with a colourful variety of artists have made their alias a non-discriminate household name, especially for ravers and club-goers.

Their personal experience and understanding of the dance music scene as producers but also as music enthusiasts aid the duo in genre-bending and their ability to seamlessly cater to intoxicated dancefloor desires. New Wave had the pleasure of talking to the DJs earlier about their journey to What Came Before, the pair recount their days at university and their passion for dance music which was ignited when they met through mutual friends in the late 90s raving scene. Back then known more recognisably as Will Kennard and Saul Milton, the pair soon formed tight bonds over their passion for music and DJing. Their genesis of mixing began in Manchester and saw the pair experiment with breakbeat mixing, dubstep, and drum and bass mainly, which then turned into producing.

Their rich understanding and background mean their music is always conscientious in sound and vision - It is impossible to listen to What Came Before without hearing influences of original drum and bass from forefathers like the Prodigy, and early jungle from artists like Aphrodite or Leviticus and 90s electronic like Goldie or 808 State.

Despite the nonconformist approach to the genre of the duo, the album remains authentic and nostalgic to previous works by Chase & Status – for instance, the tribal influence on the first track ‘Don’t Be Scared’, featuring Takura could well be the sonic sibling of ‘No Problem’ from their 2011 album No More Idols (which is valued as a Chase & Status staple). Meanwhile, if it’s a grime interlude you want ‘When it Rains’, featuring BackRoad Gee will scratch your itch. The track was established through their ‘London bars’ project and again builds on Chase & Status’ previous tracks like ‘More Ratatatin’ with Giggs.

Much like the showcase of the album at Koko Camden, their album offers a curated narrative. New Wave was lucky enough to attend the event and report directly on the ethereal response the album evoked upon virgin ears. The album is being received well and being branded as a vintage tribute offering a refreshing new iteration for the pair.

Ultimately, there are few albums that you can listen in full to and still be left wanting more, through the album's construction What Came Before solidly deserves this reputation.

So perhaps the question isn't what came before, but what is to come next for the electronic genre?

Chase & Status seem to be leading the revolution.

Read New Waves Interview with Chase & Status here:

https://www.newwavemagazine.com/single-post/what-came-before-what-s-happening-now-and-what-s-coming-next-chase-and-status-interview

Read New Waves Live Report of Koko Camden here:

https://www.newwavemagazine.com/single-post/what-came-before-and-everything-that-led-up-to-now-chase-and-status-live-report