Brand New Machine

Released in 2013, Brand New Machine represents Chase & Status at the peak of their commercial and creative powers. Following the massive success of No More Idols, this third studio album saw the duo - Saul Milton and Will Kennard - further refining their ability to bridge the gap between underground club culture and mainstream pop appeal. The album is notable for its diverse range of collaborators, including Pusha T, Moko, and Ed Thomas, which allowed the duo to explore hip-hop, soul, and garage influences within their signature drum and bass framework. Sonically, the album leans into a darker, more industrial aesthetic than its predecessor, utilizing 'machine-like' synth textures and aggressive, distorted bass processing. It was recorded during a period when dubstep had reached global saturation, and Chase & Status responded by incorporating those heavy-hitting elements while staying true to the breakbeat foundations of the UK scene. The inclusion of the Skrillex remix of 'International' as a closing track serves as a bridge between the UK and US bass movements of the era.