Following the announcement of Burial's Chemz/Dolphinz single and preceding its eventual release, an unannounced split EP with Blackdown popped up on the latter's Keysound Recordings. The Blackdown productions are both tightly wound club tracks with shimmering Detroit techno synths, kinetic beat sequences, and an abundance of spiritual energy. They're both excellent, but they're inevitably overshadowed by Burial's twin ten-minute epics. Burial previously appeared on Keysound in 2015 with the euphoric, Kate Bush-sampling single "Temple Sleeper," which felt like a club-tooled one-off compared to the rest of his discography. His two tracks on this split, on the other hand, could've easily been issued as a stand-alone 12" on Hyperdub. "Dark Gethsemane" begins with a striding garage beat and a haunting choir of sprites chanting the song's title, with various "Let's go!" exclamations along the way. Halfway through, the track breaks down and enters a magic portal, then a preacher-like voice repeats "We must shock this nation with the power of love!," instantly providing one of the most unabashedly hopeful moments in the Burial catalog. Living up to its premise, it is almost disarmingly optimistic and powerful. "Space Cadet" is a sparkly, rocket-powered jaunt that concludes with a pledge to "carry a message of peace and unity to the farthest reaches of the universe." Burial continues to make music for true believers, and these two tracks provide another crucial piece of the puzzle. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi

1		This Journey VIP
2		Dark Gethsemane
3		Arklight [Blackdown Remix]
4		Space Cadet

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