Everything flows exactly as it should and, in an age dominated by throwaway digital singles, it’s pleasing to find out that there are still artists out there who really do think about the collective whole as a world unto itself.
There’s always the worry that self-indulgence has taken over completely when you start seeing 12-minute tracks being written by an artist usually best suited to the five-minute mark. But even though we see Burial get close to 12-minutes twice on his latest EP for Hyperdub, nothing could be further from the truth. Kindred is a triumph, which sees the producer craft some of his most perfect, blissed-out tunes yet.
In fact, I wouldn’t liken these ‘tracks’ to regular songs at all, but more like three mini mixes, which often incorporate two or three distinct sections a piece. Even the gaps between the tracks were hard for me to pick up during my first couple of listens. Everything flows exactly as it should and, in an age dominated by throwaway digital singles, it’s pleasing to find out that there are still artists out there who really do think about the collective whole as a world unto itself.
Things start off with the title track, weighing in with over 11 minutes of Burial’s trademark wonky 2-step rhythms, deep bass pads and heavily pitch-shifted female vox. Of course, there’s a healthy dose of static filling the mids and treble frequencies too, giving the track a feeling of being heard over pirate radio station. However, the thing that really sticks out from the off is the level of control that Burial exudes over these very familiar elements. He seems to be more comfortable with long pauses, stripping things right back to almost nothing to ensure that he has your full attention before the next section kicks in. ‘Kindred’, therefore, represents a further maturing of the producer’s sound, making even greater strides than last year’s excellent ‘Street Halo’ EP.
“Loner” is the most straight forward track, picking up the pace and driving along with simple house rhythms, big arpeggiating synth lines and ghostly R&B vocals that float around the mix. The track builds nicely, adding more percussion and video game samples as it goes along. And stays in your head, providing a post-club soundtrack that’s packed with imagery, like the echoes of a night out, with the emotions you’ve felt and the music you’ve heard wrapped inside that warm feeling of finally getting back home.
However, the best track is saved for last in my opinion. “Ashtray Wasp” is everything a great Burial tune should be—overwhelmingly broody, rhythmically mesmerizing and ultimately euphoric. It’s also the most self-referential track of the bunch, employing several recognizable samples from his previous two albums for Hyperdub. The track even breaks down into near silence a few times, starting from scratch over and over, slowly bringing in more static and crackle until it seems like everything is going to disintegrate. Then, after over nine minutes, things snap into place, with Burial producing a delicious piano-led groove from the simplest of elements. I won’t spoil your experience with an inadequate description here, but let’s just say that those last three minutes neatly round out the whole EP, leaving you with a smile on your face.
In short, then, this is an essential release for all Burial fans. And seeing as it’s only £2.50 for just over 30 minutes of truly excellent music, there’s no reason not to show Hyperdub and its most valuable artist some love.
Kindred is available on Hyperdub. Buy at Hyperdub or iTunes.
