What makes Ghost Hardware by Burial notable?

Ghost Hardware is significant for its innovative use of atmosphere and texture within electronic music, contributing to the evolution of the dubstep genre. The EP garnered widespread critical acclaim, with notable praise from publications like Pitchfork, which highlighted its emotional depth and sonic experimentation. Released in early 2007, Ghost Hardware marks Burial's second EP following his critically acclaimed debut, Untrue. At this point in his career, Burial was solidifying his reputation within the UK underground scene, pushing the boundaries of dubstep and influencing a wave of future garage artists.

How many songs are on Ghost Hardware?

Ghost Hardware has 3 tracks, running approximately 15 minutes.

Ghost Hardware

Burial · 2007

15 min · 3 tracks · ambient music

A haunting exploration of shadowy soundscapes, blending ambient textures with the rhythmic pulse of dubstep.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Ghost Hardware — The title track encapsulates the essence of the EP with its eerie vocal samples and intricate layering, creating an immersive listening experience.
→
Shutta — This track showcases Burial's skillful manipulation of rhythm and texture, featuring a propulsive bassline that drives the haunting atmosphere.
→
Exit Woundz — With its melancholic melodies and fragmented beats, this track exemplifies the emotional weight that defines Burial's sound throughout the EP.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

70 /100

Alpine

Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

Ghost Hardware showcases Burial's unique atmospheric style, blending ambient textures with subtle rhythmic elements.

What we noticed

Each track features a slow build-up of layered ambient textures that create an immersive soundscape.
The EP employs a consistent use of vocal samples, manipulated and processed to blend into the instrumental fabric rather than stand out.
Rhythmic elements are sparse but effective, with dubstep influences evident in the deep bass and syncopated beats.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Ghost Hardware 4:56
2 Shutta 5:02
3 Exit Woundz 5:49

What to play next

Listen next

Young Death / Nightmarket

2016

Go back to

Untrue

2007

Full Burial discography Where to start with Burial Artists like Burial

dubstep future garage

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata