Back in stock: Deep Dubstep

Review: ** REPRESS ALERT ** Given that his sound has now been referenced, copied and bastardised by countless imitators, is testament to Burial's enduring appeal that the announcement of a new EP on a Sunday in Febuary was enough to shake the online music press out of their collective stupors. As an EP it more than stands up to his previous work, and it may even be better than last year's Street Halo EP - where the brilliance of the title track left the EP quite top-heavy, there's no such complaints on Kindred. If UK garage was the touchpoint for his earlier releases, this EP sees Burial further developing a sound that has few obvious points of comparison, whether it's the savage, gnarled bassline of the title track, or the shambling house of "Loner", characterized by its hollowed out arpeggio and ambient crackle. But it's "Ashtray Wasp" that provides the most breathtaking moment, seeing the producer using the distinct musical language he's created and bringing confident melodic elements into play. Of course such descriptions seem trivial when trying to describe this EP - even for Burial it's far beyond what his peers and imitators could ever imagine making.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


Putting the Head into Headland, New Zealand beat conjurer Gene Warriner gets his cosmic thing on for this superb System release. Each track laden with weight and hypnotic charm, 'Dogtooth' sets the scene and lures into the mist with its slow and sludgy diversions. It's followed by a whole stack next level sorcery; 'Roamer' is a disarming creeper from another dimension, 'Industry' was actually made out of your dreams while 'Sour' was made out of your nightmares. Finally Epoch goes bananas on the remix as he takes Headland's last single 'Garbo' and takes it to some very strange places. System smash it once again.

Review: Woof! Hyperdub bring together two of the most recognisable and enigmatic artists of recent times on this 10", as Zomby and Burial square down ahead of the former's new album for the label. Zomby's Ultra LP is undoubtedly one of this year's most anticipated albums and "Sweetz" suggests it may be a very moody affair indeed. Whilst rooted in UK dance, Zomby and Burial do look elsewhere for inspiration too. Just under seven minutes long, "Sweetz" veers through various sub-heavy soundscapes with intermittent rhythmic patters and a distinctive looped vocal sample whose pitch changes with dramatic effect.