I always imagine artists in this kind of genre to lock themselves away alone for months when they are writing, and emerge triumphantly at the end of their time down below with their new full-length. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t happen at all like that (except maybe in Burial’s case), but if I was to emerge from my basement after nearly five years (yes, it’s been that long since the last full-length), I’d definitely be proud to emerge with this new track under my arm.
Four Tet has returned with not only news of a new 12″, but also with a lovely 9 minute lead single entitled Love Cry, from January 25th’s There Is Love In You. It’s a repetitive, and at times quite glitchy record, taking elements of his work with Burial and mixing them all down into a semi-ambient, underground dance record. His staccato drums come in after a minute or so and only slightly alter throughout the one build up which takes precedence throughout the entire song. Around half way through the track enters vocals, which manage to take the song over for a good couple of minutes without saying much else other than a seriously manipulated ‘Love Cry.’
Hebden’s sound pallete is big enough that he never seems to have any issues with creating new sounds – as a result, his songs end up more intriguing than anything else. I tend to find my listening to Four Tet is often more out of the curiousity and respect I have for his music than because i find it particularly catchy or satisfying. At the end of the day, artists who fascinate and liberate rather than simply play what people are always in the mood for are far more creative and talented. ‘Love Cry‘ is in no way inaccessible, but i’m pretty sure some dancefloor remixes will be headed our way in the next couple of months.