Boards of Canada's long-awaited return with 'Inferno' is a mixed bag, to say the least. After a 13-year hiatus, the Scottish duo's latest album is a stark contrast to their previous work, and not necessarily in a positive light. The album's title, 'Inferno', hints at a journey through Dante's hell, but the music itself feels more like a trip down memory lane, albeit a rather disappointing one.
The duo's signature sound, which once blended heavy hip-hop beats with spectral ambient vistas, has evolved, but not necessarily for the better. The album's opening track, 'Prophecy at 1420 MHz', attempts to capture the essence of their earlier work, but it falls flat, lacking the energy and innovation that characterized their earlier releases. The use of guitars and synthwave lines in tracks like 'Somewhere Right Now in the Future' and 'Into the Magic Land' is a step in the right direction, but it's the beats that truly let the album down.
The beats on 'Inferno' are pedestrian and dreary, with a lack of rhythm and funk that once defined the duo's sound. The album's highlight, 'Age of Capricorn', is a beatless track that showcases the duo's ability to create a haunting and ethereal atmosphere. However, this is a rare occurrence, and the majority of the album's tracks are a letdown.
The album's themes of spiritual deliverance and damnation, as hinted at by the title, are explored through the use of samples and cut-up vocals. While some tracks, like 'Father and Son', are a playful take on faith crises, others, like 'Naraka', seem to mock eastern religion, which is a lazy and uninspired approach. The album's critique of religion is better executed in 'All Reason Departs', but it's a rare instance of the duo's deeper engagement with ideas.
In my opinion, the real disappointment lies in the music itself. The album's production values are impressive, but the lack of creativity and innovation is a major setback. The duo's ability to conjure corrupted nostalgia has faded, and the album feels more like a relic of the past rather than a fresh and exciting release. The album's best tracks are beatless, but this is a rare occurrence, and the majority of the album is a letdown.
Boards of Canada's return is a reminder that even the most iconic acts can struggle to stay relevant. While the album has its moments, it's a far cry from the duo's earlier work, and the disappointment is palpable. The album's production values and themes are impressive, but the lack of creativity and innovation is a major setback. It's a sad reminder that even the most iconic acts can struggle to stay relevant in a rapidly changing music industry.
