Orbital: New Album Details

By Team JamBase Jan 18, 2012 • 6:30 am PST

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ELECTRONIC ICONS ORBITAL SET TO RELEASE
NEW ALBUM WONKY APRIL 3, 2012

Undefeated champions of British electronic music, Orbital get back in the ring in 2012 with Wonky, their first new album in eight years due for release on April 3. Recently reunited following a long sabbatical, Paul and Phil Hartnoll are back on fighting-fit form and ready to reclaim their title. Both timeless and contemporary, Wonky puts a vividly modern spin on their signature blend of richly melodic, deeply emotive electronica.

Like all Orbital albums, Wonky defies narrow-minded caricatures of electronic music as cold and mechanical. Playful humour and warm humanity are woven into its fabric – from the heart-tugging harmonies and woozy vocal layers of Never and Distractions, to the guest appearance by the highly acclaimed LA-based electronic musician Zola Jesus on the brooding, atmospheric epic New France. These are machine-made symphonies to stir the soul and electrify the senses.

The idea for Wonky sprang from Orbital’s rapturously received live comeback. A year of sell-out tours and euphoric festival appearances, including Coachella and Glastonbury, was followed by a further year of globe-trotting DJ sets. This allowed the brothers to road-test the new album in raw form, then make instant adjustments in the studio in response to crowd reactions.

“That was really beneficial to our writing,” Phil says. “Trying out tracks in front of audiences, listening through their ears, getting responses. That’s been a really good string to our bow.”

Wonky was recorded in Orbital’s Brighton home base, then mixed in London with internationally acclaimed producer Mark “Flood” Ellis, whose stellar list of previous collaborators includes PJ Harvey, U2, Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails.

Check out the duo’s tour dates announced so far, along with the official video for the track “Never” off the new album.

Tracklist

  • 01. One Big Moment
  • 02. Straight Sun
  • 03. Never
  • 04. New France feat. Zola Jesus
  • 05. Distractions
  • 06. Stringy Acid
  • 07. Beelzedub
  • 08. Wonky feat. Lady Leshurr
  • 09. Where Is It Going?

    Orbital Tour Dates

  • 04/05/12 Thu Manchester Academy Manchester, GB
  • 04/06/12 Fri Leeds Academy Leeds, GB
  • 04/07/12 Sat ABC Glasgow, GB
  • 04/08/12 Sun Liverpool Academy Liverpool, GB
  • 04/09/12 Mon Corn Exchange Cambridge, GB
  • 04/10/12 Tue Royal Albert Hall London, GB

    Orbital Tour Dates :: Orbital News

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