LateNightTales cover

Released 22 years ago this October

LateNightTales

Four Tet · 2004

74 min · 19 tracks · electronica

A kaleidoscopic blend of electronic textures and organic melodies that captures the essence of late-night introspection.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Haunted Feelings Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Earth — Spanning over ten minutes, this track exemplifies Four Tet's mastery of building atmospheric soundscapes that evolve organically, immersing the listener in a hypnotic journey.
  • →
    Why We Fight — The track stands out with its poignant sampling and layered beats, reflecting both vulnerability and strength while embodying the thematic depth characteristic of Four Tet's work.
  • →
    Parallelograms — With its intricate melodies and rhythmic complexity, this piece encapsulates the essence of Four Tet's sonic experimentation, offering a glimpse into his unique artistic vision.
  • →
    January V — This track combines melodic elements with subtle percussion, creating an emotional resonance that captures the reflective mood often associated with late-night listening.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
73 /100
Alpine
Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album's seamless flow and eclectic sound palette create a strong late-night atmosphere.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate field recordings and organic sounds, contrasting with the electronic textures to enhance the late-night vibe.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
9/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing for relaxation
  • extended pieces for deep listening
  • eclectic textures for exploration
  • dynamic flow during late nights

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification tracks
  • seek straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — A unique curated collection that showcases Four Tet's influences, not a primary entry point.
Themes
late-night introspection· hypnotic soundscapes· eclectic sonic collage
Career context
In 2004, Four Tet was firmly established as an innovative force in electronica, following the critical success of his album 'Pause' in 2003. 'LateNightTales' came as a curated collection, showcasing his eclectic taste and ability to weave together various genres and influences, further solidifying his reputation in the experimental music scene.
Stylistic neighbors
Floating Points· Bonobo· Tycho

Tracklist

  • 1 Haunted Feelings Start here 2:21
  • 2 Battle Rhymes for Battle Times 2:37
  • 3 Wiggy (edit) 0:32
  • 4 One Way Glass 3:37
  • 5 Music for the Gift, Part 2 1:52
  • 6 January V 3:18
  • 7 Why We Fight 4:08
  • 8 2 Cups of Blood 1:24
  • 9 Earth 13:16
  • 10 Parallelograms 4:31
  • 11 Castles Made of Sand 3:35
  • 12 Valiha Del 4:47
  • 13 Strange Ways (Koushik’s remix) 2:13
  • 14 Griffo (edit) 0:49
  • 15 Tale in Hard Time 3:25
  • 16 Tinkle 0:36
  • 17 Benevolent Incubator 10:11
  • 18 218 Beverley 7:27
  • 19 Don’ts 3:31

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata