Untrue
by Burial
  • Record Label: Hyperdub
  • Release Date: Nov 6, 2007
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 472 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 368 out of 472
  2. Mixed: 47 out of 472
  3. Negative: 57 out of 472

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  1. HyDrAg7
    Sep 28, 2012
    9
    I think you must get it to like it. btw most (if not all) of the songs actually have lyrics, but they´re hard to understand. i think im slowly getting it.
  2. mowino
    Nov 29, 2013
    9
    Given this a listen only a couple of days ago, I must say its an experience like no other. Burial did his thing with sampling and used it like a pro. I hope to hear a follow up to this near-masterpiece.
  3. schampanes
    May 23, 2013
    9
    If you're looking for something to dance to, then this is the wrong album for you. If not, continue reading. Just like with most of his music, Burial blends together an extremely tranquil, deep and harmonious experience, plus if you like emotional things, Untrue is definitely something to give a listen to. It's not the best album I've ever heard, but it is definitely in my Top 10.
  4. dakotaconcrete
    Dec 13, 2013
    10
    I wasn't a huge fan of the album after the first half dozen listens. But something kept me coming back for repeated listens. Then during a random listen, it just hit me, the sound which seemed mediocre to me before, was incredible! One of my all-time favorite albums, and easily one of the oddest experiences I've had with an album.
  5. XavierBlaq
    Dec 26, 2013
    10
    With fast tempos despite bone-chilling ambiance, Untrue manages to be arguably one of the greatest dubstep albums ever. However, don't expect this one to hit you immediately. When I first listened to this album, I thought it had nice beats, but those seemed to drone a bit too much and I lost interest. Luckily, I gave it a second chance and was left in tears by the emotional intensity ofWith fast tempos despite bone-chilling ambiance, Untrue manages to be arguably one of the greatest dubstep albums ever. However, don't expect this one to hit you immediately. When I first listened to this album, I thought it had nice beats, but those seemed to drone a bit too much and I lost interest. Luckily, I gave it a second chance and was left in tears by the emotional intensity of every song of this album; yet I still felt the uncontrollable urge to move to the album's incredible and subtly varied rhythms. It is not often an electronica album can be this physically and emotionally moving. In fact, I cannot think of another example.… Expand
  6. xKindred
    May 8, 2014
    10
    The best ambient album of all time. Burial is a hugely unappreciated artist on the electronic scene, and this is his highest quality collection of musical pieces. I look forward to future full-length albums.
  7. ThePotnoodleBoy
    May 15, 2015
    10
    It is hard to skip a song on this faultless LP. Brooding, evocative and strong, a step up from his self-titled debut and a pinnacle in electronic music.
  8. Exide
    Dec 22, 2017
    10
    Excelent album .......................................................................................................................................
  9. HDelattre
    Sep 5, 2017
    10
    I intially discovered this album in 2010 from Mt. Eden Dubstep's remix of Archangel. At the time I preferred the remix and quickly judged the album as dull faux dubstep that couldn't stand up to the kid's dubstep, the EDM brostep dropfests that were peaking in popularity at the time. I never even listened to it all the way through. I suspect this may be true for many others and the reasonI intially discovered this album in 2010 from Mt. Eden Dubstep's remix of Archangel. At the time I preferred the remix and quickly judged the album as dull faux dubstep that couldn't stand up to the kid's dubstep, the EDM brostep dropfests that were peaking in popularity at the time. I never even listened to it all the way through. I suspect this may be true for many others and the reason the user score is lagging so far behind the critics'. Hearing this for real 7 years later I am astonished at what I missed and how cheap the remix I once preferred sounds in comparison. This album transcends the genre labels most often associated with it; like all albums it has many influences but it stands out as truly unique. In retrospect it was way ahead of its time, and it might still be. Sure it has a consistent and familiar drum and bass backbone but that's just used to hypnotize you while it goes to work. Burial weaves intricate dreamlike layers that hook themselves inside you and drag you simultaneously deep into your soul and out into the far and empty reaches of space. Ghostly voices call out to you, robotic and warped in tone but utterly human in their sorrow and longing. This album is the sound of a brilliant mind so enveloped and distraught in its musings that they bleed directly into the surrounding space to be felt literally by the external world. Burial has peeled back his skull and exposed a part of his brain so that we lucky listeners can mush our brain meat against his to gain a fleeting but profound taste of pure consciousness outside ours, the type of real connection we spend our lives chasing. Untrue is an instant classic and we are extraordinarily lucky to be living in a time when this type of music is even possibly, let alone that someone was actually talented enough to produce it. Don't miss this like I almost did.… Expand
  10. Efrex
    Dec 22, 2017
    10
    Minimalist and at the same time complex, masterpiece! Greatest dubstep album.
  11. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 6, 2021
    8
    complex, stark, tender, blurred and breathtaking. Burial has managed the impossible and improved on his faultless debut
  12. spenceryang8
    Feb 3, 2019
    10
    A defining moment for electronic music across the board, Burial's sophomore album evokes a state of continuous bliss under grey skies.
  13. oweng
    Jul 9, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. “Untrue” by Burial is a tightly knit album packed with pitched samples that are elegantly placed over instrumentals containing calculated and lavish production. The result is a 13 track, 50 minute long project that is very calming and easy to vibe to.… Expand
  14. kermie_the_frog
    Dec 28, 2019
    10
    In my opinion this record is a classic. Those saying this album is "too repetitive" or "boring" need to stop listening to this like a normal song. This record is immersive, it's spacial, it's an atmosphere. It's jogging home at 2:00am in the city after a party, or sitting in a diner in the evening with your hood on trying to avoid eye contact. It's moody and dark, but with subtleIn my opinion this record is a classic. Those saying this album is "too repetitive" or "boring" need to stop listening to this like a normal song. This record is immersive, it's spacial, it's an atmosphere. It's jogging home at 2:00am in the city after a party, or sitting in a diner in the evening with your hood on trying to avoid eye contact. It's moody and dark, but with subtle hopefulness. I hope those who hate this record will give it another try without expectations of getting your average song structure.… Expand
  15. shilogoviak
    May 24, 2022
    10
    It's one of the most detail-rich albums ever made, of any genre. It feels like a melancholic odyssey through a dark, rainy city, which is a pretty good description of London through Autumn and Winter. However, Untrue is never overbearingly gloomy; there are uplifting moments of beauty and hope scattered through the record, most intensely in the second half of "Shell of Light" (#9). IIt's one of the most detail-rich albums ever made, of any genre. It feels like a melancholic odyssey through a dark, rainy city, which is a pretty good description of London through Autumn and Winter. However, Untrue is never overbearingly gloomy; there are uplifting moments of beauty and hope scattered through the record, most intensely in the second half of "Shell of Light" (#9). I recommend that everyone listens to this record and that when you do listen to it you turn the volume up high and take a walk to get the full experience.… Expand
  16. lazomgmt
    May 9, 2020
    10
    One of the best underground albums of all time. Rightful amongst the most influential electronic albums ever.
  17. mcpooja
    May 17, 2021
    8
    This album sounds like walking home drunk from the pub in a rainy midnight in London. The atmosphere is so cold yet so warm and inviting at the same time. Icy rhythms with surreal soundscapes and textures laced throughout its 50-minute runtime. Choppy samples and fractured and hard-hitting beats and percussive elements. Love this.
  18. willmatts
    May 27, 2021
    10
    O melhor álbum eletrônico da década! Talvez, do século até o momento. Experiência única e fantástica!
  19. Neshelie
    Aug 20, 2023
    4
    Not bad but not good either. I don't know if it's the same genre but the sounds on the album reminded me of Moderat. I like Moderat a lot, that's why I compared it to Moderat. It's an average album.
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Album of 2007
6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2007
22
#22 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. BBC collective
    80
    Burial has concocted a noir-ish sound that’s as powerful as it is atmospheric.
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    90
    What gives this album more depth is the focus, the rolling symmetry and cinema.
    Read full review
  3. Dusted Magazine
    80
    That emptiness tempts a listener in, and puts you in its place--you, in a sense, step into the record’s point of view. This invitation to intimacy is a powerful move that most club music is simply incapable of.
    Read full review
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