Review by Austin Sher

Four Tet, also known as Kieran Hebden, knocked it out of the park unsurprisingly on the newest album in his discography, Sixteen Oceans. Three years later from his previous release, New Energy, it appears we have another big winner of a record.

The 16 track LP comes in at just under an hour and from start to finish is exactly what you’d expect from a Four Tet record. We mean that in the most positive way as we possibly can. The album flows nearly seamlessly from one song into the next and it becomes a little too easy to lose yourself in the music. If that’s what you’re looking for, then this album may be for you.

One of my favorite parts about Four Tet albums in general, is that there isn’t always a standout song that differentiates itself from the rest of the pack. When you’re listening to a record of his, it’s very clearly a work of Hebden’s. That proves true with the start of the album, on the song School. A fantastic opener that brings the listener into another world, but also serves as a prologue to what the rest of the album is going to bring.

We’ll let you decide for yourself on which tracks you enjoyed the most, but our favorites in particular were Harpsichord, Something in the Sadness, and 4T Recordings. All perfect examples of songs that don’t need to be listened to in the scope of a record and can easily be put on your next summer playlist. Speaking of, isn’t Four Tet’s music perfect beach and summer music? We know we’ll definitely have a selection of his songs on our upcoming playlist series.

The album wraps up nicely with the climaxing finish run from 4T Recordings to the epic closer, Mama Teaches Sanskrit. Overall, I do feel that Sixteen Oceans isn’t my favorite Four Tet record that’s been released, that’s a debate we’ll have for another time, but it most likely falls in the middle. It’s not the “worst”, but it’s not a clear winner as best. That’s not to say the album isn’t great, because it is! Maybe times are weird right now and we’re not hearing music how we normally should. 

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