Great read! I too would love for him to make another album. It's probably me (55-year old dude who got started with classic rock and metal albums) but I still default to that format. I try to imagine that 'Tunes...' is his 3rd album and not a collection of tracks. And as much as I enjoy the 2 songs per year that he drops, again, I think Burial music in particular just cries out for the range of sounds and emotions that a carefully curated 'album' can evoke in a listener. But clearly he's not listening to me, so I'll take what I can get!
For me Dark Gethsemane is absolutely top tier Burial, I adore it.
I think the Elliott School is just a normal school, by the way, not a music school, albeit one that has produced a lot of incredible musicians.
Also, it probably says a lot about my musical listening that I would love Burial to make more albums (rather than compilations) even if an album contains exactly the same music as would otherwise have appeared on three 12 inches. I know it doesn't make much sense but I find albums easier to keep track of and even appreciate. They feel more like a coherent statement, than an EP.
Thank you! Yeah, Dark Gethsemane is brill, I love it too.
Thanks for the correction re: Elliott School, I'll edit that. You're surely right, but the reason that it has produced a lot of incredible musicians (and actors) is probably that it seems to put some emphasis on visual and performing arts, while not being an actual music/art school.
Re: the album format, I am a big proponent for it in general but in the case of electronic music and Burial's catalog in particular, I listen to the EPs and never to the albums, for whatever reason they feel much more accessible and suitable for daily listening to me, while those albums are more like holy grails that I barely even touch.
Thanks for this well-researched article Stephen. One thing that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that the Bevan family are a huge musical family. I've crossed paths with some before. I don't know for a fact that Will Bevan is directly connected to them, but I would not be the least bit surprised. Fiona and Mary Bevan are others in London; there's also a lot in the West of England.
Yeah I've heard about it but couldn't confirm it – it's difficult as you can't just ask him, and most people around him tend to not talk about him (as he clearly wouldn't want that).
Yes, for sure. There is a really interesting interview on YouTube with another dubstep artist who describes going to his house and how he has a tune looping for days on end. I'm trying to find it now, but I can't.
Great read! I too would love for him to make another album. It's probably me (55-year old dude who got started with classic rock and metal albums) but I still default to that format. I try to imagine that 'Tunes...' is his 3rd album and not a collection of tracks. And as much as I enjoy the 2 songs per year that he drops, again, I think Burial music in particular just cries out for the range of sounds and emotions that a carefully curated 'album' can evoke in a listener. But clearly he's not listening to me, so I'll take what I can get!
Incredible article, Stephan. Thoroughly researched and deeply insightful into such an enigma of an artist. I hope he sees this!
This is such a well-written and well-put-together resource. A library worth saving and revisiting! Thank you!
Great writing! His early 2010s EPs are among the best music I’ve heard. Must revisit some of his later stuff.
I really enjoyed this!
For me Dark Gethsemane is absolutely top tier Burial, I adore it.
I think the Elliott School is just a normal school, by the way, not a music school, albeit one that has produced a lot of incredible musicians.
Also, it probably says a lot about my musical listening that I would love Burial to make more albums (rather than compilations) even if an album contains exactly the same music as would otherwise have appeared on three 12 inches. I know it doesn't make much sense but I find albums easier to keep track of and even appreciate. They feel more like a coherent statement, than an EP.
Thank you! Yeah, Dark Gethsemane is brill, I love it too.
Thanks for the correction re: Elliott School, I'll edit that. You're surely right, but the reason that it has produced a lot of incredible musicians (and actors) is probably that it seems to put some emphasis on visual and performing arts, while not being an actual music/art school.
Re: the album format, I am a big proponent for it in general but in the case of electronic music and Burial's catalog in particular, I listen to the EPs and never to the albums, for whatever reason they feel much more accessible and suitable for daily listening to me, while those albums are more like holy grails that I barely even touch.
Thanks for this well-researched article Stephen. One thing that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that the Bevan family are a huge musical family. I've crossed paths with some before. I don't know for a fact that Will Bevan is directly connected to them, but I would not be the least bit surprised. Fiona and Mary Bevan are others in London; there's also a lot in the West of England.
Yeah I've heard about it but couldn't confirm it – it's difficult as you can't just ask him, and most people around him tend to not talk about him (as he clearly wouldn't want that).
Yes, for sure. There is a really interesting interview on YouTube with another dubstep artist who describes going to his house and how he has a tune looping for days on end. I'm trying to find it now, but I can't.
Ooh, that would be interesting. I've never even heard anyone outside of Kode9 and Blackdown talk about him like that.
Found it. From about 1:11 mark… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsCYjmkh2dM
https://youtu.be/xV5rcOUFEGg?si=8pdBBZzx8pyfyvn5
Great post.
Haven’t been keeping up with Burial but he’s definitely one of a kind.
Hola , Brurial Es Ya Por Su Excelente Música , Un Clásico De La Escena. Un Saludo.
There is something truly special captured in his music, it's timeless. Just recently picked up Untrue on vinyl, one of my favorite records.
Did not know Burial did Night Air, but now that I know it, it’s so obvious I’m almost embarrassed to admit it 😅