Autechre - Untilted
[Warp]

A required place in anyone's record collection, Autechre could never be accused of being predictable or average; consistently reinventing themselves and pushing the boundaries of electronic music, they have become one of the key figures in contempoary IDM, influencing and inspiring countless musicians with their prodigious production style over a period of 14 years.

'Untilted' continues in a similar fashion to 2003's brooding 'Draft 7.30', sharing a threatening feel and menacing atmospherics. Autechre's secret is both a use of studio manipulation and intricate sequencing, but also creating tracks that build on layer upon layer of enchanting rhythmic repetition. Beats are frantic and hard, bass booms and cripples the speaker cones and the rapid spitfire of mechanical noise create a gritty, harsh industrial sound.

The intent is not to make music aimed at a club environment or lounge based easy listening electronica, but to produce thought-provoking music that successfully evokes far more moods and emotions than 99% of their peers.

As with all Autechre releases there are no clear reference points or obvious artist comparisons - due mainly, to the fact that the duo have always been the pioneering and innovative musicians as opposed to their cheap counterparts. Raw, urgent and completely essential, 'Untilted' is likely to become as similarly respected as their older material.

9/10