Since their accidental distribution on Black Friday's Record Store Day at Toronto's Sonic Boom, the new Burial release has taken industry press by storm — this is the most coverage the sample aficionado has received since classics like "Nova" and his LP, Untrue. That said, it's difficult to gauge whether the 12-inch single warrants a similar, overwhelmingly positive critical reception.
"Young Death" and "Nightmarket" revive all the familiar stylistic trappings that are native to masterpieces like Untrue, only with a demure interest in arpeggiated synths and their ability to steer tracks with only scattered percussion. The conviction that marked tracks like "Arc Angel" is lost to wispy, disembodied vocal samples that are either too invested in structural variance to truly ensnare the listener, or wallow too long in their own moodiness.
While Burial's melancholic dubstep underpinnings have reaped extensive praise, it's unclear whether this release has the soul to reel listeners in in quite the same way. The London producer emphasizes structural variety over substance, and relies on former sonic signatures to push a release that remains distinguished within the electronic landscape. However, in the context of his oeuvre, Young Death / Nightmarket listens like just another cut of the same.
(Hyperdub)"Young Death" and "Nightmarket" revive all the familiar stylistic trappings that are native to masterpieces like Untrue, only with a demure interest in arpeggiated synths and their ability to steer tracks with only scattered percussion. The conviction that marked tracks like "Arc Angel" is lost to wispy, disembodied vocal samples that are either too invested in structural variance to truly ensnare the listener, or wallow too long in their own moodiness.
While Burial's melancholic dubstep underpinnings have reaped extensive praise, it's unclear whether this release has the soul to reel listeners in in quite the same way. The London producer emphasizes structural variety over substance, and relies on former sonic signatures to push a release that remains distinguished within the electronic landscape. However, in the context of his oeuvre, Young Death / Nightmarket listens like just another cut of the same.