8/10

It is fair to say that very few names in the world of jazz have broken through into the mainstream in recent years quite like Ezra Collective. After delivering their highly-praised 'Where I'm Meant To Be' LP in 2022, the band went onto receive untold amounts of success, eventually landing them a Mercury Prize win the following year. And with the buzz around them still very much at its peak, they are back at it once again to deliver their new studio album 'Dance, No One's Watching', a record that feels more unfiltered this time around.

When comparing this to their previous full-length, the stark difference is the sheer level of diverse influences it looks to explore. While 'Where I'm Meant To Be' was certainly a varied listen, 'Dance, No One's Watching' sees them kick it up a notch as they venture towards a more enigmatic appeal, one that holds onto their origins but also delivers something interesting for their newfound fans. The result is this wildly kaleidoscopic listen that sees them push the boundaries of their aesthetic as far as they will go.

It has certainly been an impactful time for Ezra Collective, but 'Dance, No One's Watching' feels like a strong and confident continuation of their sound to date. Brimming with this fresh and lively energy from start to finish, they remain a firm staple of the UK's more innovation music scene.