ARTIST:

FOUR TET

ALBUM:

THERE IS LOVE IN YOU

KEY TRACKS:

SHE JUST LIKES TO FIGHT

CIRCLING

SING

I usually put a lyric above that particularly stood out to me on the album...but this is  my first review of an instrumental album.  Also, Four Tet marks the first review I've done without knowing anything about the artist.  So I dove into this album with absolutely no expectations and what I found was an interesting juxtaposition of "video game" electrics and robotic like beats.  Normally I would never describe an album as 'futuristic' but this one certainly seems this way.

London born, Keiran Hebden is the cerebral DJ behind the all the pulsing electronica in this album.  Hebden's influences are heavily reliant on the ambient style pioneered by Aphex Twin in the 90's.  

But there is a certain softness in Four Tet's music that you don't quite find in Aphex Twin.  This is apparent in the album's opening track which starts nicely with looping vocals over the gradual buzz of electronics.   But the moment track two starts, that serene mood is completely gone and what remains are sounds you find in video games.  Upon hearing the second track "Circling" I'm strangely reminded of those larger than life RPG's like Final Fantasy, Zelda, and let's not forget Tron .  Seriously.  This guy could transition to making science fiction/fantasy soundtracks seamlessly.  

Another standout track for me is the 'blatting' techno in "Sing".  Again I'm reminded of the video game genre because it sounds almost like a 'midi' track (anyone remember those?).  And despite the constant bleeping, Four Tet's compositions don't ever come across as abrasive.  Ironically, they are relaxing -- in a way. 


Hands down the best track of the album is the closer:  "She Just Likes to Fight" which ironically sounds nothing like its title.  It's a slower, sensitive track that sounds eerily like Broken Social Scene.  Jangling guitars and slow, moody synths take over and smooth over the jagged edges leftover from the rowdier tracks.  It's the perfect way to end the album.  


So the verdict?  Well, definitely not my favorite album, but certainly a nice change from what I'm used to.  I think ambient music has it's place but it's a genre of music that is still somewhat foreign to me.


LISTEN:  SHE JUST LIKES TO FIGHT  |  SING  |  CIRCLING

NEXT WEEK:  DISCOVERY | LP