FOUR TET - THERE IS LOVE IN YOU (Domino)

Kieran Hebden, aka Four Tet, has never been shy of pushing at musical boundaries. His earlier albums incorporated acoustic or live instrumentation alongside IDM, techno, and hip-hop influenced electronica. The use of live instrumentation led critics, rather misleadingly, to dub his music “folktronica,” despite the meager influence folk music had on his albums. Four Tet has continued this predilection for experimentation—both through improvisational recordings with jazz percussionist Steve Reid and with his more recent foray into minimalist-inspired music with the EP “Ringer.”  

“There Is Love in You,” Hebden’s first full–length album in five years, pushes this penchant for experimentation into the background. In many ways this is a more conservative album than either “Ringer” or his work with Steve Reid. But at the same time, it is both warmer and more pleasing to the ears.  

The album’s nine tracks feature a rather restrained percussive background, over which he strings together loops that play off of each other in interesting ways. In doing so, he creates understated yet engaging music, most of which are not necessarily meant for the dance floor. “Angel Echoes,” the album’s opener, features angelic sounding vocal samples over a patiently evolving background. In “Circling,” a chorus of arpeggios blends together seamlessly, creating a sense of dynamic movement. “Sing” perhaps provides perhaps the best example of Hebden’s deft hand. It begins with a head-bobbing beat and a syncopated synth reminiscent of mid-1980s Nintendo games, but it is the interaction of the background samples that make this track truly enthralling.  

The most compelling track, however, is the album’s closer, “She Just Likes to Fight.” Ironically, this track also fits least well with the album’s overall tenor. Featuring mainly live instrumentation, it has more of a post-rock flair than the rest of the album. It highlights understated but pretty guitar samples, around which Hebden deftly weaves loops that make wonderful use of dissonance. A delicate track and a breathtaking way to end the album.  

Not all tracks reach such great heights, but it would be a far cry to state that the album has any serious missteps. Even the album’s unexceptional tracks are still pretty good. The ambient track “Reversing,” for instance, although not memorable leaves a nice aftertaste. Further, “Love Cry” represents the album’s most club-worthy track, but owing to its slow build and monotonous baseline, it lacks a sense of excitement (on headphones, at least). Nonetheless, a competent DJ can no doubt use “Love Cry” to stunning effect.    

In all, “There Is Love in You”  rarely overtakes or energizes the listener. But it does a fabulous job in crafting smooth, fluid, and subtle soundscapes that do not fail to entrance the attentive listener. Four Tet put a lot of love in this album, and it shows. Highly Recommended.  

Jeremy Yellen