The first two tracks stand out as they could be mistaken for tracks from Burial’s 2007 album, Untrue. But what sets Boxcutter apart, is that he’s constantly tweaking the sounds, adding new elements and mangling the beat. From there, the tracks progress into more chaotic IDM tunes reminiscent of AFX, Clark and Meat Beat Manifesto.

The production is phenomenal as Boxcutter experiments with nuance and dynamics, unheard in earlier releases. The thick wall of analog sounds and effects is balanced with subtle noises and moments of silence.  “Arcadia 202″ is a hauntingly beautiful track that takes acid grooves to a new level. Unfortunately, the buildup is rushed and the song ends abruptly, as do many of the other tracks, with a quick fade.

The last track, “A Cosmic Parent,” should have been left for another release. While it’s funky rhythms, samples and guitar riffs are heard elsewhere, it’s inconsistent and fails to finalize the album. It fades out in a matter of seconds, concluding the LP at just over 49 minutes.

Arecibo Message will be released on April 20th via Planet Mu Records. To hear samples from the entire album, visit Planet Mu. The LP can be purchased from Amazon.

MP3: Boxcutter – Free House Acid