Four Tet - Pause

Even if Four Tet didn't invent the "folktronica" tag, their debut for Domino Records, PAUSE, would certainly a poster child for it. Immediately on "Glue of the World," there's that delicate combination of lo-fi acoustic guitar, backed by a casual trip-hop beat. "Twenty Three" continues this track, but "Parks" takes things in a slightly darker mood with a lonely mandolin and woodwinds. "Tangle" gets things perky again with a light house beat and a harp, while "No More Mosquitoes" gets into some deep twisty funk. There's an overall mellowness to the album which is perfectly appealing to a day of laziness (or, as Four Tet puts it, "You Could Ruin My Day"). Finally, the combination of a music box and the glitchy repetition of a tone on "Hilarious Movie of the 90s" brings PAUSE to an end.

It's a very successful electro-organic synthesis. Follows no clicheed styles. Very much living-room electronica. Especially recommended for those who want a mellow album that supports more concentrated listening than stoned turntablist repetition of the lo-fi/triphop genre. A product of a balanced and enlightened soul.

This release will appeal to fans of both acoustic as well as electronic music. The songs are melodic and catchy, with an experimental element to them. If you are a fan of Hermann and Kleine, Ulrich Schnauss, Nobukazu Takemura, etc. this will most likely appeal to you. The other project by this artist (Kieran Hebden) is a band called Fridge and is less accessible, but highly recommended for those that like experimental electronic music that doesn't "sound" electronic.