When It Falls by Zero 7

When It Falls, Zero 7's second album, drifted out on 1 March 2004, and Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker kept the plush, slow-motion trip hop of their debut while letting the clouds roll in. It's the same velvet-lined sound, all soft beats, warm keys and unhurried grooves, but the mood is heavier and bluer this time, with a track like "Morning Song" sinking into real gloom.

As before, the duo hand the microphone around. Sia turns up on "Somersault" and "Speed Dial No.2", Mozez carries "Warm Sound", "Over Our Heads" and "Morning Song", Tina Dico makes her debut with the pair on "Home" and "The Space Between", and Sophie Barker, back for a second round, sings "Passing By" and "In Time". "Passing By" is the gem: hushed, wistful and gorgeous, the kind of song that makes a rainy afternoon feel like a gift.

Written with AI assistance from RockLists chart data, MusicBrainz and Wikipedia.