The Rat Road is an album of brilliant, surprising flashes, even if they are occasionally fragmented by unnecessary skits that disrupt the record's flow. When the album hits its stride, the production is incredibly evocative: there is a gritty, neon-hued warmth to the synths in the latter half of "Days Go By," and a masterful, seamless glide from soulful R&B into his signature, floor-rattling UK Bass on "LFO." On "LIMITLESS," SBTRKT drapes his dreamlike ... read more
The excessive use of nonsensical vocals, glitch timbres, and uninspired drums creates a Tech House sound that feels desperate to please—almost cheap. The few highlights are found in the more melodic cuts (even if they do channel Caribou). 'Waiting So Long' is arguably his strongest track since 2023.
Sparkling, translucent textures blend harmoniously with exotic samples, anchored by a tight, snappy Tech House groove.
Anchored by Daphni's masterful looping techniques, the album seamlessly bridges disparate sonic worlds. Whether it’s the minimalist approach of an intro built on sparse vocal fragments, pristine piano chords, and glitchy textures, or the dazzling, kaleidoscopic title track where crystal-clear synths and luminous drum patterns collide into a maximalist frenzy, ... read more
Yatchy's vocal doesn't catch up with James's production on the first track, but thankfully, most of the songs are quite beautiful.