Secretive producer Burial has released his first EP in nearly a year, and the results are typically intriguing. With a signature sound that gave birth to the phrase “sounds a bit like Burial”, Bevan’s latest offering “Rival Dealer” marks yet more experimentation with his style. Since his second album, “untrue” in 2008, Bevan has released longer and more experimental music, and Rival Dealer is no exception.

The enigmatic Burial, AKA William Bevan

The title track is his most up-tempo track to date, with a frantic drum beat that manages to sound both crisp and hissy at the same time. The second track “Hiders” harks back to oldschool Burial, with an 80’s twist.The final song “Come down to us” runs over thirteen minutes long, largely due to it’s crawling beat, and is punctuated with haunting vocal samples to create a very trippy atmosphere.

The secretive producer recently revealed in a text message, sent to Radio 1’s Mary Anne Hobbes.

“I put my heart into the new EP, I hope someone likes it. I wanted the tunes to be anti-bullying tunes that could maybe help someone to believe in themselves, to not be afraid, and to not give up, and to know that someone out there cares and is looking out for them. So it’s like an angel’s spell to protect them against the unkind people, the dark times, and the self-doubts“.

Of course no-one could make music as emotive as this without it being extremely personal, and as so little is known about Bevan’s personal life, this perspective certainly gives his music context.

Another excellent release from Burial, and arguably his best work, earning a solid 9/10 from me. Be sure to listen to it in here.