UNKLE are back. After a three-year hiatus, the James Lavelle-helmed collective return with a new label, new collaborators-- and a new sound. Fans of Psyence Fiction and Never, Never, Land will immediately recognise this as an UNKLE record, but War Stories represents another stage in the band's evolution. Although it is dark it comes from a positive place, with Lavelle bouncing back from a certain personal and creative turmoil that surrounded the aftermath of the last UNKLE project. "I wanted to combine the depth of an electronic record with the dynamics of a rock record. It was a totally organic, free experience. Every UNKLE record has had its amazing moments but this was the record I felt most in tune with-- the most rewarding recording experience." 2007 also opens an exciting new chapter in the working life of UNKLE and James Lavelle -- someone who has already crammed countless careers into barely three decades. War Stories will be the first album on James' new label Surrender All. "The feeling I have now is the feeling that I had when I first started Mo' Wax," he explains, of the label that broke dozens of acts including DJ Shadow, Air and Blackalicious, spread the word about David Axlerod and Bathing Ape's Nigo and defined a whole era. "It's totally positive. From the music to the packaging to the artwork to the videos, I am able to work with the people I want to work with." In a world where music has never been cheaper, with albums literally given away for a few quid in supermarkets, it's surely a stand for the better. "Everything has become so disposable now," he says. "I want to be involved in creating music and art that has a timeless quality."