Review / Fold - Slowburn (CD) Being an almost obsessive fan of the likes of Metallica and other blatantly rock stuff, I often forget what relaxing music sounds like. I’ve recently been getting back in touch with my softer side in the company of LCD Soundsystem, Leftfield and the like, but it was Fold’s first album offering – Slowburn – that has really caught my ears. Within the space of 7 tracks, you’ll experience pumping dance tracks, relaxing ambient tracks, and all the way bits in between. There’s often several shift changes in each song, each transforming flawlessly introducing a completely different style. Camboia – the album’s first track – is a soothing electronic track effortlessly intermixed with a traditional lullaby by Hun Sarath, and is probably the album’s most ‘safe’ track, but easily one of the best. Colophon follows a similar pace to Camboia, but is slightly more upbeat in it’s offerings, giving you something to nod your head to but never demanding for your attention. Danse Champetre is another one of the stand-out tracks on the album, starting in a similar vein to the earlier tracks, but gradually building up into a thumping dance track that forces you to sit up and take notice of it. Even when it starts to develop a beat, it never feels overpowering or aggressive, which sums up the feel of the entire album. Whilst there’s a mix of all sorts on offer throughout Slowburn, the overriding feeling you find yourself coming away with is happiness. Yep, as cheesy as it sounds, Slowburn is just music that’s good to listen to in it’s purest form. And in a world of 3 minute pop songs and Take That, Slowburn makes for a very pleasant change indeed.  

 

9/10 Craig Burgess