Four Tet expands on the new age meditations of his recent singles with a freshly focused New Energy. Fully formed within the endlessly possible creative confines of Ableton Live, New Energy follows on from 2015's Morning / Evening and features contributions from Tom Baker & Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith. - Mixing his usual classic trip-hop leanings with a digitized melodic and at times melancholic edge, New Energy neatly pulls together the lighter ends of Beautiful Rewind's house moves and Morning / Evening's lush atmospherics. This is most perfectly pieced together on the twisted wheel UKG of Scientists, an offering of solace to those waiting for a new collab 12" with Burial to form. Before the sparkly-treated guitar notes that are a recurring theme throughout bubble up to the forefront on the Coil Dark River-esq Thousand & Seventeen, imagine a rainbow of paint running all over the Coil classics oil black surface. - The ambient episodes ring strong also, from the angelic upstart of Tremper to the haunted dialogue of Gentle Soul, a glassy surface capturing the influence of F.U.S.E's Nightdrive cruise is mirrored, showing Hawtin's AI belter a strong new mode of studio extraction. This is topped off nicely with SW9 9SL and LA Trance, each a blend of mnml techno tones.
D**O
Highly Addictive
This is a great addition to Four Tet's ouevre. It's along the lines of his "Morning/Night" ep from last year, especially in regard to incorporating Indian musical influences. The album flows smoothly and seamlessly and becomes highly addictive after four or five listens. I'm looking forward to getting this on vinyl. Strongly recommended!
S**E
Best Four Tet album since "Everything Ecstatic"
Ever since "Rounds" bestowed him with the reputation for creating "folktronica", Four Tet has pressure-tested the edges of his creative impulse, pushing into avant-jazz ("Everything Ecstatic"), club culture ("There Is Love In You") and world music ("Morning/Evening"). That's nearly fifteen years of avoiding the sound he rightfully pioneered... until now. "New Energy" finds Kieran Hebden coming full circle to the crisp beat-work and soft melodic sensibility of his most famous work. And had this record followed up "Rounds" back in the mid-00s, "New Energy" would've been a classic. But don't let time reduce its potency -- these songs are inventive, enjoyable and modern, just without the challenging curveball we've come to expect. "New Energy" is instantly likeable, without wearing thin on subsequent listens, and is the best thing Four Tet has done since 2005.
C**N
Great album
This album is amazing. Fantastic beats - four tet has really found his own style and voice on this album. Everyone should listen to it!
N**N
Killer album
Love Lush, Planet, and LA Trance.
A**R
Minor Tet!
not good enough, like many of four tet's early stuff, but this is not exciting at all, a few nice track's buy that's all,
A**R
I received two A/B sides and no C/D side!
This is a double album and I received two A/B records and no C/D record! I purchased this early as a gift for someone and unfortunately we only just opened it to discover this. Is it too late to exchange or receive the missing C/D record?
M**N
Five Stars
Masterpiece! Gratitude Four Tet
I**O
An unusual recording not wanting in sound quality
I have not set out to write reviews of the music content as “beauty is in the ears of the listener”. These reviews are about the quality (or not) of the recorded sound. To read about how the reviews are done please see my profile.An interesting dynamic recording which is crystal clear. There is a huge dynamic range and this may cause some systems real issues. This range is balanced by the delicate woodland sounds. This is an unusual recording but not for the want of sound quality. • Clarity – Razor sharp, very clear and well defined • Channel separation – Very good • Channel balance – Excellent builds a wonderful expansive sound stage which is evocative, rich and atmospheric • Sound Stage – Very good, deep, rich and dynamic. Instruments and sounds clearly placed, yet with space to develop. The use of strings seems very unusual • Distortion – Non audible • Compression – Non audible • Atmosphere – Ok, the sharpness of the upper registers can detract on some tracks making the recording feel a little cold • Bass – low frequencies – Deep and clearly defined without being dominant. Capable of rattling the room • Treble – high frequencies – Crystal clear indeed can feel a little sharp and cold on some tracks. The sounds are however not shrill merely different, they are balanced by the depth of the bass • Vocals – Clear used as a dynamic instrument again with an extended rangeAs a general rule of thumb recordings from the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s are nearly always better on the original vinyl. Remasters often fail to please as it’s just not possible to make a silk purse from a sows ear, i.e. the original recording lacks the necessary detail to be processed digitally and show an audible improvement. Indeed such processing can make the sound worse.Modern recordings which have been processed digitally from start to finish can be as good as vinyl. CD’s are often unfairly criticised for being poor quality. This is not the case, it is the original recording or the process which is to blame. Modern “remasters” can both enhance and degrade a recording. The statement GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out) is the limiting factor. Ignore this at your cost.
M**R
Touche Mr Hebden
Someone elsewhere mentioned how well this has been mastered and they were not wrong.Already had a digital version, purchased the vinyl and it has even prompted me to buy a better turntable....And now it sounds even better.If you like Four Tet or electronic music with some spirit and melody up its sleeves this is a good choice.And if you can get the vinyl version.
R**R
Top level Lossless mastering.
THIS!!!/.. sublime high production values.. sounds good even lossless through my a5X and sub 8 . Well mastered, dude needs a payrise for getting it RIGHT!
A**K
Love it!
Easy listening, great in the car. One of my favorite albums of this year.
M**N
Four tet + 1 = 5 stars
Good album. Perfect up beat to accompy garden BBQ
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