Blue States - Nothing Changes Under The Sun

Nothing Under the Sun is astonishing -- even though it’s Blue States’ first album, its mature production and careful attention to detail make it an instant classic. Its downtempo stylings are melodically perfect, with a tinge of sadness permeating the proceedings. “The Trainer Shuffle,” for instance, morphs and grows, continually adding instruments: a wistful trumpet, a Hammond organ, a muted brass band. The most famous track, “Your Girl,” makes you wonder why people even bother falling in love: the vocal sample complements the melancholy vibe. Both “Stereo 99” and “Spit and Soar” have a gorgeously dreamy quality to them; they’re songs that make you want to lie on a hill and watch the clouds go by. Easily one of the best downtempo albums of the decade.