OMG , the legends of ambient house, The Orb, are back with a new album called Buddhist Hipsters! Will it be a spiritual awakening or just another overpriced vinyl for your collection? Let’s dive in!
Helmed by the one and only Alex Paterson, like anyone else cares, and some dude named Michael Rendall, Buddhist Hipsters features a guest list longer than your grandma’s grocery list: Roger Eno, Steve Hillage, Miquette Giraudy, Youth, Paul Ferguson, Andy Falconer, Eric Von Skywalker, Rrome Alone, Violeta Vicci, and Andy Cain. Seriously, did they just invite everyone they met at the local coffee shop?
Alex “The Dreamer” Paterson said: “I was having a dream, and in this dream was an escalator descending out of the clouds, upon which were Buddhists and hipsters travelling downwards, and beckoning me down from the top, was Roger Eno.” Wow, deep stuff, Alex! Maybe lay off the herbal tea before bedtime? “When I woke up, I had a text from him, asking if we fancied more collabs, so he’s on the record, amongst other friends.” Coincidence? I think not!
“Recording the album and playing recent gigs have been comfortable, happy, and therapeutic experiences, largely due to Michael Rendall, who’s a genius that picks up anything he turns his hand to.” Yeah, yeah, yeah, we get it, Michael is your new best friend. “We have a wonderful, simpatico relationship on record and on stage. Overall, the length, arc, and energy of Buddhist Hipsters energy mirrors one our fans’ faves, U.F.Orb.” Translation: “We’re trying to recapture our glory days, but don’t get your hopes up!”
One of the first tracks to emerge from the album, is the groundbreaking new single Arabebonics. The title of the Eastern-influenced hip-hop track is a word invented by rapper Rrome Alone, who provides vocals and is supported by additional strings from Violeta Vicci. Eastern-influenced hip-hop? Sounds like a recipe for cultural appropriation disaster!
Listen below, if you dare:
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
