Burial: Street Halo EP

Burial
Street Halo EP
Rating: Woof Daddy

It's been almost four years since the release of Burial's landmark album Untrue. Might as well be 4 decades in the electronic music world considering how fast trends and genres change and mutate. While there will likely always be imitators of his distinct sound, Burial will never be duplicated. In a flurry of activity over the past few months, Burial has released several new projects. Whether producing and advising material on Jamie Woon's debut cd Mirrorwriting, or collaborating with Thom Yorke and Four Tet on a single, he has whet people's appetite for the follow up to Untrue. There is no word whether this three track EP is a prelude or preview to a new release, but apparently, based on his label Hyperdub, he is working on new material.

If anything, these three tracks reveal that Burial is still working with the same minimal palate, but is pushing outside the framework. The songs are distinctly Burial tracks, however, there are subtle differences in approach. Still notable is how, even on three tracks, he can so easily evoke moods of isolation and darkness.



"Street Halo"

Probably the least Burial sounding of the three tracks, "Street Halo" practically sounds like the percussion was recorded from a train. There is a locomotive quality to the beats, propelling the song forward. There is a vaguely Middle Eastern synth melody hanging just underneath the framework of the track, with disembodied and mutated vocal samples floating above. The dark, two-step track is underpinned with menacing sub-bass, the vocal samples conjuring a world of late night journeys to some place dangerous and haunted. As the destination gets closer, the beats get more insistent, the tone denser; you can feel your heart catching in your chest.



"NYC"

By far my favorite track, "NYC," is trademark Burial: ghostly synth strings, choppy blocked two-step beats, and airy, pitch shifted vocal samples. The song is so sad and haunting, it is almost unbearable to hear; a cry for love and tenderness in an unforgiving city, feeling completely alone in a sea of millions. The refrain "NYC, nobody loves me" is so forlorn, it will stick with you like a scar.



"Stolen Dog"

This is the grower of the three tracks. Initially, I dismissed it as meandering and not in line with the first two songs. Using a simple beat, monochrome synth tone melody, and a variety of liquidy atmospherics, "Stolen Dog," unfolds leisurely, the slowly gains in paranoia and desperation, the vocal samples, almost unintelligible, becoming frantic and alarmed. The "Stolen Dog," of the title can be anything searched for in vain.

If these three tracks are any indication of what Burial's next full length is like, I think I will be a very happy fan. The songs retain the base of what is Burial and expands it ever so slightly; ramping up the emotion and depth. Burial is a master of creating a mood and taking you on long, dark trips through his imagination. Street Halo is endlessly fascinating, and a great appetizer for the next course he will offer.

Rating Guide

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and peaks one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.