rate.fmrate.fmLog in

Review

Get the app

Albums

Big Bad World

Richard Champion

2016

Big Bad World

Release Date:  2016

By Pitchfork

Reviewed November 6, 2017

A standout track from Champion’s new album, Snapshot

Even though Four Tet has worked with everyone from Thom Yorke to Burial, his partnership with the UK funky producer/DJ Champion has been his most creative. They achieved a magical mind-meld on their 2016 12”, Flip Side / Disparate, and those two tracks were some of fiercest in either’s catalog in recent years. Their latest collaboration, “World”—the best cut on Champion’s new album, Snapshot—is a thrilling mash-up of Four Tet’s worldly taste and Champion’s hardcore groove. This is a track that is somehow anchored by both a Steve Reich-inspired marimba line and a brutal bass drum. Here, the two artists find beauty in not just contrasting textures but opposing elements: The song seamlessly smashes together angelic choruses, chaotic chants, video-game bleeps, sawtooth synths, and airy acoustic percussion. Champion and Four Tet draw out each other’s most playful sides, and the freewheeling pleasures they concoct on “World” serve a timely reminder of how gloriously fun they are together.

7:00 PM · Nov 6, 2017