Streetlands

Released in late 2022, Streetlands is the second major EP of that year from Burial, following Antidawn. While his early work defined the 'dubstep' and 'future garage' genres through innovative beat programming, this release continues his evolution into pure longform ambient composition. The EP consists of three tracks totaling over 34 minutes, characterized by a lack of traditional percussion. Instead, Burial utilizes foley sounds, pitch-shifted vocal samples, and massive synthesizer pads to create a 'cinematic' experience. Critical reception noted the transition from 'hauntology' (mourning the past) to a more 'cosmic' or 'sci-fi' outlook. The production is notable for its extreme use of space and reverb, creating a sense of scale that dwarfs his earlier, more claustrophobic club-oriented work. It stands as a pivotal moment in his catalog where the 'ghosts' of his previous records seem to have finally found peace in a celestial, rather than urban, environment.