Four Tet’s music returns to streaming services as artist signs new publishing deal with Universal

Several Four Tet albums have returned to streaming services, as news has also been revealed that the artist has signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Group

In August last year, the London producer – real name Kieran Hebden – launched legal proceedings against record label Domino over a dispute about royalties. Amid the ongoing legal battle, three of his albums were removed from streaming services in November.

Now, as Music Week reports, following a new deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), ‘Pause’, ‘Rounds’ and ‘Everything Ecstatic’ have returned to services such as Spotify and Apple Music. It is uncertain whether the albums’ return to streaming is linked to the UMPG deal or legal case against Domino. 

Pete Simmons, director of A&R at UMPG, said “Four Tet has soundtracked my life from GCSE revision to dancefloors at university and now I get the pleasure to work with him. I’m honoured to represent a catalogue that means so much to not just me but the whole of UMPG.”

“Looking forward to working with Kieran, Carol and the wider Solar team,” he added. “Special thanks to Amy Samson for making the initial introduction.”

Hebden’s ongoing legal dispute with Domino concerns streaming royalties. Hebden wants a higher rate of 50%, plus damages of up to £70,000, but Domino argues that the current rate of 18% is lawful as streaming didn’t exist when the contract between the two parties was signed in 2001.

In December, the producer shared a statement regarding the dispute via Instagram. You can read it below.