The Beckoning of Mystery - Burial (Untrue, 2007)

Since releasing his self-titled, eponymous debut in 2006, Burial has continued to successfully raise the level of the UK's underground dubstep music scene. His debut found him being listed among many "Best of 2006" lists from critics and fans alike from all over the world... and his newest release "Untrue" seems to be following that same path - being cited among music staples such as Pitchfork Media, NME, and Wired as standing above the competition in 2007. But without the prestige accolades and praise from critics, this album is able to stand fully on its own as a near genius masterpiece from beginning to end.

When one thinks of electronica music, it's typical to imagine all kinds of senseless bleeps and vocal effects that have no place or relevance. This is not the case at all with Burial's newest release. "Untrue" breathes of a long walk home among empty fog-laden streets. It is infused with a keen sense of loneliness and mystery that builds a world that is as desolate as it is intriguing. Vocal samples create a sense of distance and hang in the air like old conversations begging to be remembered. Each track transitions into the next seamlessly, creating an album that is best experienced when listened to in its entirety rather than skipping tracks... a rarity among most music nowadays.

Another rarity among "Untrue" is its ability to draw emotion through simplcity, rather than suffocating the listener with ridiculous amounts of whining, vocal gymnastics, or metaphors. "Archangel," a standout track on the album, constructs around vocals that simply yearn for one to "tell me I belong." Building alongside heavy bass and the echoes of voices in the background, the track and album overall finds itself creating an atmosphere of haunting melodies that pierce the ears and continue playing long after the music has stopped. "Untrue" finds Burial doing what he does best... side-stepping heedless attitude and digging deep into the very psychological being of human nature, highlighting the feelings of isolation, bleekness, and curiosity that we try our best to keep tucked away.

Containing a sort of emptiness that invites listeners to draw their own conclusions, "Untrue" provides an audio encounter that never gets old. Like lying in bed on a rainy night... if one listens close enough, there are always new sounds to be heard among the presence of the album. It's simplicity, restraint, and aching vulnerability easily made Burial's "Untrue" one of the most fulfilling releases within electronica and the dubstep scene. Always a good listen. Never dull. Cop it.