Burial’s latest release sees the enigmatic South London musician rework two tracks by Massive Attack. One is the previously unreleased track “Four Walls” and the other is “Paradise Circus”, the lead single from the 2010 album Heligoland. In true Burial style, he has placed his personal stamp on the songs: high-pitched vocal samples and a deep, murky sub-bass lend a distinctive and atmosphere feel to his music.
Indeed, “Paradise Circus”, aside from the sultry vocals of Hope Sandoval, is virtually unrecognisable from its original form. Gone is the lively piano, the delightful bass and the layered beats. In their place we have a singular plodding beat complemented by heavy, foggy synth. What emerges is a hauntingly beautiful twelve minute masterpiece. “Four Walls” is equally as brilliant (and almost equally as long).
Interestingly, it is essentially an ambient piece. The drums are present, and notable for their odd time signature, yet they are overshadowed by the overall composition of the very muffled and compressed sound which befits the song perfectly.
Ever the shy and modest character, Will Bevan said in a text: “I hope thatthey are tracks that people can get lost in. They are imperfect and messy, but I put my heart and soul in them.” He is undoubtedly right in his assessment. He may also be right when he says that they are imperfect and messy. However, this is precisely what makes them so wonderful. They sound raw and, importantly, heartfelt; as a result they are all the more powerful. Coming on the back of the fantastic Street Halo EP, this release further enforces Burial’s position as a pioneer of contemporary electronic music. Whilst Massive Attack’s best days may be behind them, it would seem that Burial’s are only just beginning.