Untilted

{{short description|2005 studio album by Autechre}} {{good article}} {{For|untitled works|Untitled (disambiguation){{!}}Untitled}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}} {{Use British English|date=June 2013}} {{Infobox album | name = Untilted | type = studio | artist = Autechre | cover = Autechre_untilted_cover.jpg | alt = | released = 18 April 2005 | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = * Abstract * electronic * IDM * experimental | length = {{Duration|m=69|s=50}}<br />{{Duration|m=71|s=52}} (Japanese) | label = Warp | producer = * Rob Brown * Sean Booth | prev_title = Draft 7.30 | prev_year = 2003 | next_title = Quaristice | next_year = 2008 }}

'''''Untilted''''' is the eighth studio album by the British electronic music duo Autechre. It was released on 18 April 2005 through Warp Records and on 9 April by Beat Records in Japan.

The album saw Autechre members Sean Booth and Rob Brown continue to move back to traditional rhythms and consistent beats, no longer feeling limited by set rhythms. Compared to their previous albums, no generative music was used in its production. Before its release, a fake version of the album was distributed.

''Untilted'' received mixed reviews from critics. While many reviewers enjoyed the general sound of the album and the ideas presented, others were more critical and thought of the music as unenjoyable and boring. The duo would tour in support of the album.

== Background and recording == In ''Draft 7.30'', Autechre's previous album, the duo began to move back to more traditional rhythms for their music rather than experimental ones.<ref name="TII" /> In an interview, Booth noted how they were "getting more acquainted with rhythm" and how rhythm no longer limited them like it did before.<ref name="TII">{{cite news|last=Phelan |first=Laurence |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/the-bleeping-noise-in-your-head-thatll-be-autechre-593705.html |title=The bleeping noise in your head? That'll be Autechre... |access-date=26 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121202545/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/the-bleeping-noise-in-your-head-thatll-be-autechre-593705.html |archive-date=21 November 2009 |date=6 April 2003 |work=The Independent |url-status=dead}}</ref> The duo would use a variety of different sequences all running at the same time during the creation of ''Untilted''.<ref name="CD">{{cite news |last1=Hollo |first1=Peter |title=Cyclic Defrost - Issue #011 (May 2005) - Autechre |url=http://www.cyclicdefrost.com/article.php?article=879 |access-date=26 June 2025 |work=Cyclic Defrost |issue=011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050615004324/http://www.cyclicdefrost.com/article.php?article=879 |archive-date=15 June 2005 |date=May 2005}}</ref> They would use different mixes of drum machines, old MIDI and analogue sequencers, as well as MPCs.<ref name="CD" /> The album was recorded over a period of nine months.<ref name="ITM">{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Lauren |title=Autechre: Sounds like..? |url=http://www.inthemix.com.au/features/20857/ |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=In The Mix |date=3 May 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802002407/http://www.inthemix.com.au/features/20857/ |archive-date=2 August 2008}}</ref>

Contrastingly, no generative music was used during the production of the album like on ''Confield''.<ref name="PFI">{{cite news |last1=Daniel |first1=Drew |title=Autechre |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/interview/6012-autechre/ |access-date=26 June 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=9 April 2005}}</ref> A variety of samples were used throughout the album.<ref name="CD" /> Booth described how analogue technology lacked visual interfaces, which helped him compose music.<ref name="CD" /> It allowed the duo to "drift into another world" and "just get on with doing the tune".<ref name="CD" /> In response to a fan asking why they returned to "repetitive rhythmic structures" for ''Untilted'', Brown responded that it was "hard to know when someone calls your stuff repetitive, because you know that it's not".<ref name="BBCQA">{{cite news |title=autechre q&a |url=https://www.h2g2.com/entry/A3895806 |access-date=26 June 2025 |work=Collective |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220061144/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A3895806 |archive-date=20 February 2006 |url-status=live |date=2005}}</ref>

== Music == ''Untilted'' has been described as abstract,<ref name="IM">{{cite news |title=Autechre :: Untilted (Warp) |url=https://igloomag.com/reviews/autechre-untilted-warp-cd2lp |access-date=10 July 2025 |work=Igloo Magazine |date=22 April 2005}}</ref> electronic,<ref name="pf">{{cite news |last1=Leone |first1=Dominique |author-link=Dominique Leone |title=Autechre: Untilted |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/368-untilted/ |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=20 April 2005 |archive-date=27 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250527190706/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/368-untilted/ |url-status=live }}</ref> IDM<ref name="pm">{{cite news |last1=O'Neil |first1=Tim |title=Autechre: Untilted |url=https://www.popmatters.com/autechre-untitled-2495827587.html |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=PopMatters |date=1 June 2005 |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918012648/https://www.popmatters.com/autechre-untitled-2495827587.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and experimental.<ref name="IM" /> Repetition was noted by critics as a large focus point of the album.<ref name="ti">{{cite news |last1=Gill |first1=Andy |title=Album: Autechre |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-autechre-488558.html |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=The Independent |date=15 April 2008 |archive-date=11 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011080145/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-autechre-488558.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In comparison to the duo's other works, such as ''Draft 7.30'' and ''Gantz Graf'', ''Untilted'' has a greater focus on rhythm and consistent beats.<ref name="pm" /> Collin Buttimer of BBC Music described the album as being "very much fascinated with rhythm and metamorphosis".<ref name="bbc" /> Tracks throughout the album often evolve into something different from how they opened.<ref name="pf" /> Scott McKeating of ''Stylus'' noted how the album takes a more "engaging turn" as it progresses.<ref name="SM" />

{{Listen | filename = Autechre Ipacial Section snippet.mp3 | title = "Ipacial Section" | description = "Ipacial Section" is the second track of ''Untilted''; it establishes a "frantic" rhythm before morphing and changing throughout its runtime. | pos = right }}

Opening track "LCC" begins with a fast tempo and a forward-driving structure, before the tempo later slows down with the focus shifting to the melodics of the track.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |last1=Buttimer |first1=Colin |title=BBC - Music - Review of Autechre - Untilted |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/jqjw/ |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=BBC Music |archive-date=23 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123193744/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/jqjw/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "Ipacial Section" establishes a "frantic" rhythm, with different elements being introduced over time, until the track "[sounds] much different than it did to begin with".<ref name="pm" /> "Pro Radii" begins with industrial sounds, which a ''Pitchfork'' review compared to "stomping through a foggy alley using meter-thick blocks of iron as shoe souls {{sic}}".<ref name="pf" /> The track also features contrasting "booming bass tones" and "smaller, staccato click-beats".<ref name="ti" />

"Augmatic Disport" uses "jittery drum'n'bass stutters" to create an effect that is "simultaneously nightmarish and exhilarating".<ref name="bbc" /><ref name="ti" /> The track sees "rhythmic particles attempting to bounce free from the lengthy structures", becoming more melodic as the track progresses.<ref name="SM" /> "Iera" makes use of ambient electronics, which are "tinged with a schizophrenic twist".<ref name="EX" /> Autechre stated the track was "purely programmed, grid-programmed, all onscreen, just nudging MIDI events around".<ref name="PFI" /> "Fermium" progresses from fast-paced and energetic sections to slower, more subdued passages with synthesised sounds.<ref name="ti" />

"The Trees" borrows elements from rave music, and begins with frantic percussion, eventually evolving to "dizzyingly complex heights" before "dissolving into static".<ref name="pm" /><ref name="TG">{{cite news |last1=Burgess |first1=John |title=Autechre, Untilted |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/apr/15/popandrock.shopping5 |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=15 April 2005}}</ref> McKeating said the track "sounds more blood than oil" because of its "pitchshifted electro making a lengthy riff that drives the tune along".<ref name="SM" /> Closer "Sublimit" was originally one of Autechre's longest songs.<ref name="bbc" /> It contains "beats wrapping furious trails around each other faster than the mind could follow".<ref>{{cite news |last1=McMillan |first1=Scott |title=Autechre – Oversteps |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/autechre-oversteps-26606 |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=24 March 2010}}</ref> The track was composed through "a drum machine up and running, 16-grid style, no swing or anything, everything just completely straight".<ref name="PFI" />

== Release == [[File:Autechre SeOne.jpg|thumb|Autechre, 2005, playing live at the seOne nightclub.]]

A fake version of the album was distributed throughout the internet before its official release.<ref name="ITM" /> When asked about the fake, Booth said "the more fakes the merrier" and revealed Autechre themselves had secretly released fakes.<ref name="ITM" /> He also said that the leaker's "sense of priority is clearly fucked" as they treated a hoax beheading of a US marine in Iraq and the fake leak as equally relevant.<ref name="ITM" />

''Untilted'' was released on CD and double vinyl on 18 April 2005 through Warp Records.<ref>{{cite web |title=Warp / Records / Releases / Autechre / Untilted |url=http://warp.net/records/releases/autechre/untilted |publisher=Warp Records |access-date=26 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028191525/http://warp.net/records/releases/autechre/untilted |archive-date=28 October 2012}}</ref> The album was released slightly earlier on CD on 9 April through Beat Records, only in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Outeka "Untilted", BRC-122, 45231327122, Shopping, Billboard JAPAN |url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/goods/detail/7199 |publisher=Billboard Japan |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> The album's artwork was created by Alex Rutterford.<ref name="bbc" />

The album entered the UK Dance Albums Chart at No. 25 for two weeks, the UK Independent Albums Chart at No. 22 for one week and the US Top Dance Albums chart at No. 17 for one week.<ref name="UKD" /><ref name="UKI" /><ref name="USD" /> The duo would go on tour in support of the album, which began on 14 April.<ref name="BBCQA" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Music |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-province-2005-untilted-tour/175364441/ |access-date=26 June 2025 |work=The Province |date=14 April 2005 |location=Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada}}</ref> The tour would last for seven weeks and saw them play in Europe, the United States and Japan.<ref name="PFI2">{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Mark |title=Autechre |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/interview/6788-autechre/ |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=17 February 2008}}</ref>

Booth would move from Suffolk to Manchester after the conclusion of the tour, with Brown noting this put their studio "in limbo for a while".<ref name="PFI2" /> The two found themselves working more portably with laptops and gear from their concerts.<ref name="PFI2" /> They would continue composing new tracks in a variety of studio jam sessions, leading to the release of ''Quaristice'' in 2008.<ref name="PFI2" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Mark |title=Autechre: Quaristice |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11245-quaristice/ |access-date=26 June 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=5 March 2008}}</ref>

== Reception == {{Music ratings | MC = 69/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web|title=Untilted – Autechre|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/untilted|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=6 July 2012}}</ref> | rev1 = ''Austin American-Statesman'' | rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="AAS">{{cite news |last1=Salamon |first1=Jeff |title=Music: CD Reviews |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-austin-america/175296577/ |access-date=26 June 2025 |work=Austin American-Statesman |date=19 May 2005 |location=Austin, Texas |page=22}}</ref> | rev2 = AllMusic | rev2score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AM">{{cite web |title=Untilted - Autechre |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/untilted-mw0000251705 |website=AllMusic |access-date=25 June 2025 |language=en |archive-date=23 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123184941/https://www.allmusic.com/album/untilted-mw0000251705 |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev3 = ''The Gazette'' | rev3score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="TGM">{{cite news |last1=Dunlevy |first1=T'cha |title=New Music - Newly Released Compact Disc |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-gazette-untilted-review/175297386/ |access-date=26 June 2025 |work=The Gazette (Montreal) |date=5 May 2005 |location=Montreal, Quebec, Canada |page=50}}</ref> | rev4 = ''The Guardian'' | rev4score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="TG" /> | rev5 = ''The Independent'' | rev5score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="ti" /> | rev6 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev6score = 7.4/10<ref name="pf" /> | rev7 = ''PopMatters'' | rev7score = 8/10<ref name="pm" /> | rev8 = ''Stylus'' | rev8score = B−<ref name="SM">{{Cite web |last=McKeating |first=Scott |date=19 April 2005 |title=Autechre - Untilted - Review |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/autechre/untilted.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107163704/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/autechre/untilted.htm |archive-date=7 November 2006 |website=Stylus Magazine |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> | rev9 = ''The Winnipeg Sun'' | rev9score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="TWS">{{cite news |last1=Sterdan |first1=Darryl |title=Electronica |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-winnipeg-sun-winnipeg-sun-untilted-r/175296968/ |access-date=26 June 2025 |work=The Winnipeg Sun |date=1 July 2005 |location=Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |page=31 |language=English}}</ref> }}

''Untilted'' received mixed reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which aggregates scores from mainstream critics, ''Untilted'' has an average score of 69 based on 20 reviews, indicating mixed or average reviews.<ref name="MC" />

Writing for the ''Austin American-Statesman'', Jeff Salamon noted the "wealth of sonic detail" after the "roadblocks" and "obstacles" throughout the album.<ref name="AAS" /> Reviewing the album for AllMusic, John Bush noted how Autechre "certainly [weren't] launching any new styles", but the album "[represented] the duo returning to the green fields of their youth".<ref name="AM" /> Joshua Klein of ''Billboard'' noted how the duo had found a "middle ground between [science and art]".<ref name="BB">{{cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Joshua |title=AUTECHRE, "Untilted" |url=http://www.billboard.com/bb/reviews/album_exclusives_article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000895377 |access-date=25 June 2025 |work=Billboard |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050429070221/http://www.billboard.com/bb/reviews/album_exclusives_article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000895377 |archive-date=29 April 2005 |date=26 April 2005}}</ref> Writing for ''Exclaim!'', Heidi Chapson wrote there is "something unsettling and disturbing about the erratic heart-palpitating beats of ''Untilted'' that makes it too intriguing to just ignore".<ref name="EX">{{cite news |last1=Chapson |first1=Heidi |title=Autechre - Untilted |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/autechre-untilted |access-date=25 June 2025 |work=Exclaim! |date=1 June 2005 |language=en |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101005837/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/autechre-untilted |url-status=live }}</ref> T'cha Dunlevy of ''The Gazette'' noted that the album was "music for electronica sleuths ready to work for their epiphanies" and that the duo were not "concerned with your comfort zone".<ref name="TGM" /> In a review for ''The Guardian'', John Burgess said Autechre were "sounding too much like themselves".<ref name="TG" />

<!-- Please do not link reviewer Andy Gill to the main article about Andy Gill; these are two different people. --> Writing for ''The Independent'', Andy Gill called the album "the electronic equivalent of Tourette's".<ref name="ti" /> Through the use of a skit, Dominique Leone of ''Pitchfork'' said ''Untilted'' was both moving and had a "pretty messy, lazy form".<ref name="pf" /> Tim O'Neil of ''PopMatters'' said the album didn't have "a lot to grab on to" for casual listeners, but more dedicated fans would be "significantly changed by the experience".<ref name="pm" /> Writing for ''Stylus'', Scott McKeating said the duo may have "found that blend of soft tissue and steel that much electronica misses by a hair's breadth".<ref name="SM" /> Darryl Sterdan of ''The Winnipeg Sun'' noted there was "occasionally the sensation of a human hand, head and heart behind the machinery".<ref name="TWS" />

==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Untilted'' track listing | all_writing = Sean Booth and Rob Brown | title1 = LCC | length1 = 7:46 | title2 = Ipacial Section | length2 = 9:57 | title3 = Pro Radii | length3 = 8:42 | title4 = Augmatic Disport | length4 = 9:27 | title5 = Iera | length5 = 4:55 | title6 = Fermium | length6 = 5:45 | title7 = The Trees | length7 = 7:26 | title8 = Sublimit | length8 = 15:52 | total_length = 69:50 }}

{{Track listing | headline = Japanese bonus track | title9 = Zurich 2001 | length9 = 1:52 | total_length = 71:52 }}

== Personnel == Credits adapted from the liner notes.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=''Untilted''|others=Sean Booth|year=2005|publisher=Warp|id=WARPLP180|last=Brown|first=Rob|author-link=Autechre}}</ref>

* Rob Brown – production * Sean Booth – production * Noel Summerville – mastering * Alex Rutterford – design

== Charts == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Untilted'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2005) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|BillboardDanceElectronic|17|artist=Autechre|rowheader=true|refname="USD"|access-date=11 July 2025}} |- {{album chart|UKDance|25|date=20050507|rowheader=true|refname="UKD"|access-date=26 June 2025}} |- {{album chart|UKIndependent|22|date=20050430|rowheader=true|refname="UKI"|access-date=26 June 2025}} |- |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Discogs master|1401|type=album}} * {{MusicBrainz release group|mbid=373e0d94-bd5c-3a9b-8b36-4899b33bfcb5}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060509073339/http://www.warprecords.com/ography/release.php?cat=WARP180 ''Untilted''] at the official Warp discography (features audio clips).

{{Autechre}}

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Category:Autechre albums Category:2005 albums Category:Warp Records albums