The student news site of Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park, MN

Knight Errant

The student news site of Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park, MN

Knight Errant

The student news site of Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park, MN

Knight Errant

“Street Halo,” the Holy Grail of electronica

Street Halo, the Holy Grail of electronica

Most electronic producers can’t create much excitement about a three track EP. Burial is not most electronic producers. His previous albums are landmark achievements in modern music, having highly influenced the British music scene for the past ten years.

“Street Halo”, the new EP, dropped several days after the release of Burial’s collaborations with Thom Yorke and Four Tet. The new songs cement Burial’s musical style rather than expanding it; not a second is wasted in these atmospheric wonders.

Opener and title track “Street Halo” has a surprisingly techno feel with its unconventional time keeping. However, the low-fi finger snapping and heavy bass prove to be more in line with his debut. The warm vocals would seem to penetrate such a rhythmic song everything flows perfectly.

Burial, known for his reclusiveness, refuses to do interviews and releases each record with a scarce amount of limited vinyls. He allows only one opening into his artistry: the art itself. His detail gives these deeply disturbing songs an authentic feel, nothing can disrupt the listener from the music.

“NYC”, probably the all around best track here, echoes from the speakers. The darkly atmospheric reverb strips the humanity of the warm vocals to a creepy hush. The simple drum pattern is effective by bringing more attention to the sweeping set of melancholy strings.

The songs carve their own sonic landscape. Each one seems to exist in its own time and space, never ending explicitly. They drift on for a few moments, giving the impression that they never end, playing on for eternity.

Some will criticize Burial for releasing extremely similar songs to his previous work. They will want him to recreate himself and make radical change in his music. These people are wrong; Burial’s new EP never treads on being dull or repetitive. “Street Halo” proves, if anything, that he is continually exploring his talents as a producer and hopefully continues to do so.

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The student news site of Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park, MN
“Street Halo,” the Holy Grail of electronica