burial

Burial

*2013 Re-Press* Certain to be one of the most memorable albums of the year and without a doubt its most groundbreaking - Burial's debut album has already been subject to extensive discussion and focus dotted around the entire musical spectrum, from the cavernous Dubstep community at one end to the expansive critical behemoth of Pitchfork and Simon Reynolds at the other. Cliché and hyperbole aside, it's true to say that only once in while we're presented with an album of such chilling sensation, tempered skill and emotional mastery that the listener is overwhelmingly submerged into the producer's wholly realised creation of a musical urban legend. Burial's sonic and geographic roots in an anonymous south London location are clearly apparent in the subterranean blues of opener 'Distant lights', affecting the synapses with MDMA singed pads floating over an impossibly slinky 2-step syncopation and luscious diva lick, summoning lost feelings for mid-late 90's rave dystopia. On the narrative tip Spaceape becomes the dark interpreter for the phantom dancehall machinations of 'Spaceape', whilst 'wounder's' offstep organ stabs part the way for the comforting paranoia of 'Night Bus'. 'Southern comfort' is one of two tracks lifted from the stunning 'south London boroughs' EP that first introduced Burial to us about a year ago, epitomising the dynamic impetus behind Burial's legend-creating narrative consistent throughout the album. 'Gutted' expresses a mournful sonic sentiment, before the emotional pinnacle of Broken Home's tumultuous bassline and disembodied capleton lick leaves you in a crippled mess. The haunted rhythmic bliss of 'Prayer' slips into catharsis, clearing the airwaves for Burial to allow the ghosts of long-gone transmissions, raves and soundsystem reverberations to be channelled through his expanded bandwidth for album closer 'Pirates'. Respect to hyperdub, a shocking debut.