Shock Power of Love E.P.＜限定盤＞

Following the announcement of Burials Chemz/Dolphinz single and preceding its eventual release, an unannounced split EP with Blackdown popped up on the latters Keysound Recordings. The Blackdown productions are both tightly wound club tracks with shimmering Detroit techno synths, kinetic beat sequences, and an abundance of spiritual energy. Theyre both excellent, but theyre inevitably overshadowed by Burials twin ten-minute epics. Burial previously appeared on Keysound in 2015 with the euphoric, Kate Bush-sampling single Temple Sleeper, which felt like a club-tooled one-off compared to the rest of his discography. His two tracks on this split, on the other hand, couldve easily been issued as a stand-alone 12 on Hyperdub. Dark Gethsemane begins with a striding garage beat and a haunting choir of sprites chanting the songs title, with various Lets go! exclamations along the way. Halfway through, the track breaks down and enters a magic portal, then a preacher-like voice repeats We must shock this nation with the power of love!, instantly providing one of the most unabashedly hopeful moments in the Burial catalog. Living up to its premise, it is almost disarmingly optimistic and powerful. Space Cadet is a sparkly, rocket-powered jaunt that concludes with a pledge to carry a message of peace and unity to the farthest reaches of the universe. Burial continues to make music for true believers, and these two tracks provide another crucial piece of the puzzle. ~ Paul Simpson