Faithless Deliver Their First Album in Five Years, 'Champion Sound,' in Four Stunning Parts

Faithless have always been vanguards and their eighth studio album, Champion Sound, is the latest example of their visionary artistry. With the project, the UK group subverts the traditional album format, organizing their awaited answer to 2020’s All Blessed in four parts – Forever Free, Phone Number, Book of Hours, and Champion Sound – that can be streamed together or separately.

Sonically, the LP is anchored in house, with flashes of pop (like the Bebe Rexha-assisted “Dollars and Dimes”), orchestral (Book of Hours), and other influences that evoke the sense of inimitability that’s always been signature to Faithless’ music. While the album is threaded with emotive, rousing moments, perhaps the most poignant comes on Disc 1’s tribute to Faithless' late frontman, Maxi Jazz, whose voice floods the frame of “Forever Free" to open Champion Sound. “Be as completely you as you can be,” he says in a tone-setting voice snippet taken from his last recording session with the group. Listen below.

The first installment of Champion Sound landed in June, reacquainting audiences with Faithless' unique creative voice, described by band member Rollo as "if Pink Floyd or Spiritualized made house music." While Part 2: Phone Number twinkles with warm, laidback house, Part 3: Book of Hours takes a poignant orchestral detour with reflections from Sister Bliss. 

Part 4: Champion Sound opens with the Suli Breaks feature, "Find A Way," that kickstarted the project as the album's debut single. This closing chapter features some of the LP's most vibrant and upbeat production, drawing the dynamic and tightly-woven collection to a satiating close. By capturing the range of human emotion across soundscapes that are often contemplative, sometimes blissed-out, but always deep, Faithless truly offers something for every listener of Champion Sound.

Champion Sound is out now via Faithless. Buy it on Beatport.