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Blue States, originally the solo project of Brighton-based Andy Dragazis, emerged four years ago with a handful of 12 inches and an album, Nothing Changes Under The Sun, released in 2000 on rising London label Memphis Industries, blended luscious, mostly electronic, instrumental pop. Dragazis quietly established his sound alongside Bent and Zero 7, gaining recognition on all sides. Now a six-piece band, Blue States are about to release their first new material in over two years, with a single, Metro Sound, in July, followed a month later by an album, entitled Man Mountain, released jointly by Memphis Industries and XL Recordings.

The choice of a small venue suited the intimate nature of the music perfectly. Playing a mix of old and new songs, Blue States offered a brilliant performance, particularly well received by the hundred or so fans who had braved the rain for the occasion. In Dragazis’s own words, playing in London is not just another gig, and the tension was slightly perceptible when the band got on stage, the man just daring a quick “Good evening, we are Blue States” before getting down to business.

Kicking off with the forthcoming single, Metro Sound, Dragazis and crew went on to play a couple of old tracks before singer Tahita “Try” Bulmer took to the front of the stage for two new tracks. Originally brought in for just one gig, Bulmer and Dragazis hit it off straight away, the singer, handling the set pretty well, rapidly became a permanent member of the band, bringing a perfectly suitable shine to the music. Following some more instrumentals moments, Bulmer returned for a superb rendition of Your Girl, giving the song an impressive soulful twist. With an emphasis on vocal tracks for the new material, with the evocative What We’ve Won, Only Today and Doublespeak clearly satisfying the crowd, and a more traditional approach (guitars, bass, piano and drums), Blue States have emulated the delicate mood of the first album and developed a fresh and enduring sound.

After just over an hour on stage, Andy Dragazis announced the last song, but the crowd was not about to leave without an encore. It provided the perfect opportunity for the band to preview one more new song, once again led by Bulmer’s bitter-sweet voice, before concluding with an incendiary version of live favourite Elios Therapia. By then, the six-some were definitely enjoying themselves, clearly pleased with the reception given to the new material.