The Musical Journey of Burial: From Garage to Ambient

We all have those artists who capture our hearts with their music. Burial is one such artist whose music has garnered a cult following, and his unique style and sound are unmistakable. In this blog post, we delve into the musical biography of London-based electronic musician William Emmanuel Bevan, better known as Burial. From his humble beginnings to his evolution into one of the most innovative ambient producers, we explore the artist's most famous albums and songs, along with his influences.

Born in 1979 in South London, Burial's real name is William Emmanuel Bevan. He grew up in a musical household, with his father owning a reggae music shop. It was this early influence that shaped Burial's passion for music. As a teenager, he started experimenting with different sounds, including jungle and drum and bass, all of which would later influence his music. Burial's early love for hardcore and jungle also informed his interest in sampling.

Burial's self-titled debut album was released in 2006 and became a massive hit among electronic music fans. The lo-fi nostalgic sound of the album was due to his unique approach to sampling and intricate production techniques, which drew influences from dubstep and UK garage. 'Archangel', the third track of that album, is often cited as one of his most famous songs, with its haunting melody and melancholy ambience becoming the hallmark of his music.

Following the success of his debut album, Burial's second album, Untrue (2007), marked a departure from the garage-inspired sound of the first album. Untrue was dark, emotive and ethereal. It was a perfect blend of dubstep, rave, and ambient sounds that geniously captured the nostalgia and melancholia he always instilled in his music. The track 'Raver' is another standout from this album, with its ghostly vocals and cold, ambient feel.

Despite Trout Mask Replica being Burial's favorite album of all time, it is clear that he finds inspiration in diverse genres like Metal, Jazz, and even Classical music. In his 2013 release, 'Rival Dealer', he channels the sound of hardcore punk and is considered by some to be his most experimental work to date. The title track 'Rival Dealer' is a 12-minute epic that seamlessly blends breakbeats with orchestral strings that make for an intoxicating and powerful journey.

Burial's most recent release, Tunes 2011 to 2019, is a compilation of works that the artist produced over the years. The album showcases his versatility as an artist, as each song delivers a unique take on his iconic sound. Aside from Tunes 2011 to 2019, Burial has been relatively quiet and has only done a few remixes since then. Nonetheless, his influence is visible on modern-day ambient artists like Tim Hecker, FKA Twigs, James Blake.

Burial is an artist who continues to captivate and charm his listeners through his music. Through his innovative approach to sampling and production, Burial has managed to carve a niche for himself in the electronic music scene, establishing himself as one of the pioneers of ambient music, experimental, and lo-fi sounds. From his humble beginnings to becoming one of the most well-respected producers, Burial's music is a journey that stimulates the mind and soul. His music inspires and resonates with those who appreciate the beauty and depth that is often shown only through music. Burial is one artist whose music will forever remain timeless.