For an artist as highly regarded as Kieran Hebden, his body of work under the Four Tet banner sits as a sprawling, inconsistent project. A criticism that could be levelled at him is a distinct lack of cohesiveness, or more importantly an absence of that one career defining record. His latest effort "There Is Love In You" bucks the trend, albeit with mixed results.
2009 gifted fans a stunning collaboration with Burial, in the shape of the 'Moth/Wolf Club' 12". "TILIY" follows the same four-to-the-floor, club-orientated vein. Whilst it was billed as a collaboration, the dense, wistful 'Moth' always felt more in the ownership of Burial, and it's evident from the opening track 'Angel Echoes' that Hebden's talent for utilising samples is usurped by his friend. The soulful, clipped vocals feel clumsy, amidst a bland, lightweight beat that fails to take the listener anywhere.
Greater success is found with the album's remaining seven tracks (omitting interlude 'Pablo's Heart'), all of which follow a simple but effective formula. 'Love Cry' patiently builds over its 9 minute lifespan, slowly layering and uneveloping into a deep house-meets-krautrock fusion, whilst album closer 'She Just Likes to Fight' is classic Four Tet, with clattering jazz percussion and swirling appregios.
No boundaries are pushed here, but instead Kieran Hebden offers a mostly impressive set of songs that encapsulate his potential, and provide a sound that welcomes armchair listening with an ear to the club.
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