No Geography

Released in 2019, No Geography marks the ninth studio album by The Chemical Brothers and is widely regarded as a creative rejuvenation for the duo. Seeking to recapture the spontaneous energy of their mid-90s peak, Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons restricted themselves to the hardware and samplers they used during the sessions for Exit Planet Dust and Dig Your Own Hole. This '1997 Corner' approach resulted in a more aggressive, raw, and sample-heavy sound compared to the more polished, guest-vocal-heavy albums of their middle period. The album features fewer high-profile collaborators, instead utilizing obscure samples and the vocals of Norwegian singer Aurora and Japanese rapper Nene to create a more unified, psychedelic atmosphere. Critically, it was hailed as their best work in decades, winning the Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album. It successfully bridges the gap between their big beat origins and modern festival techno, proving the enduring relevance of their analog-driven maximalism.