Rounds - Four Tet

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. If you've liked any of his previous work, you won't go wrong here.
  2. Rounds is a perfect mix of subdued chill-out music and up-tempo beats.
  3. Now, rather than trying to replay his roots and influences, he’s incorporating them as threads in the in the tapestry of his own rich, distinctly beautiful sound.
  4. An album that's both effortlessly confident of its sound and monumentally fearless of introducing cohesive surprises.
  5. Soul music full of remarkable sonic ideas.
  6. What gives this record its internal order, and makes it stand out over previous laptop explorations of immense record collections, is the simplicity of the other genres that he dabbles and draws upon to flesh out the beat.
  7. A beautiful, engaging, enchanting record.
  8. Rather than lose control of his programmed loops, Hebden sounds completely in control, the conductor of an invisible digital orchestra, changing gears on a whim.
  9. 91
    Rounds is a more varied trip, with a darker vibe suggesting the influence of Hebden's labelmate Dan Snaith of Manitoba. [Aug 2003, p.118]
  10. Rounds contains a new underlying sonic scrape that is brisk and windy and distinctly more dynamic than Hebden's previous, more placid outings, but the signature dense soul of his work is the same.
  11. You may not get to sing along, but this is not ambient music; it is immersive and involving.
  12. A trove of bewitching melody and subtle invention, Rounds succeeds not only as a meticulously conceived piece of art but also as a moving expression of human warmth.
  13. 100
    It's the freshest, most exciting and far-reaching left-field album in years. [Jun 2003, p.102]
  14. Charming, civilized, childish, Kieran Hebden imagines an aural space in which electronic malfunction is cute rather than annoying or ominous.
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. GerardJ
    Aug 1, 2007
    Beautiful. Do I need to say more?
  2. LawrenceP
    May 27, 2005
    Yes it is "as serious as your life". A must have in your collection.
  3. Dec 20, 2013
    This album just flat out leaves a great impression. I find myself going back to it over and over. Domino records has a great list of employees and Four Tet is equal to its company. Rounds is my favorite addition addition to their discography, right after There is Love in You. Full Review »