The intersection of country with electronica may not seem an obvious one, but Kieran Hebden and William Tyler have tapped into an enticing transatlantic fusion as their worlds collide. The 2020s so far have been abundantly collaborative for both of them: Hebden AKA Four Tet has joined Skrillex and Fred again.. for electrifying DJ sets, and relinked with Madlib, Thom Yorke, and Burial; William’s guitar mastery meanwhile has seen records with Marisa Anderson and his band The Impossible Truth. Now, the duo release the first taste of their talents combined.
‘Darkness, Darkness’ is a generous ten minute introduction to Hebden and Tyler’s musical partnership. Gentle sparks open with the natural plucks of acoustic guitar swimming in the electrical soundbath, the strings rippling tangibly as they are bent and manipulated. Soulful brass loops soon fade in, pouring desert sand onto the track as it shifts from ambiently informed experimentalism to roaring psychedelia with gritty guitars, downtempo rhythms, and a sample of Gloria Loring’s eponymous inspiration.
Meanwhile, ‘No Services’ brings the darkness the A side foretold, but in a much more peaceful manner, going off the grid and painting countryside solitude with a nighttime backdrop of chirping crickets. Glistening piano chords, plucks, and blurry ambience are cut and stitched with smooth edges, as fingers slide down frets mimicking the warm breeze.
Kieran Hebden and William Tyler’s first collaboration is a captivating and evocative synthesis of the two’s individual sounds.
1. Darkness, Darkness
2. No Services
