Narc. Magazine Online
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Jonathan Coll discovers a welcome return and a departure from his signature sound on electronic artist SBTRKT’s new album
AWAL
Released: 05.05.23
SBTRKT, more than anyone, came to epitomise the sound of the near future that dominated the electronic scene for much of the 2010s. Alongside the likes of Jon Hopkins, George Fitzgerald and Four Tet, his was a sound that cut across the divide between dancefloors and ambient listening. The Rat Road is SBTRKT’s first album in seven years, and represents a slight departure from that original sound.
The new album is comprised of 22 tracks, with serving as brief interludes alongside the more substantial productions. D Double E, featuring the man himself, is the best of those snippets, whereas No Intention represents the high point of the longer tracks. It’s a welcome return for both SBTRKT and long-time collaborator Sampha, who features on the beautiful Limitless.
