Today, October 13, Jean-Michel Jarre reveals his collaboration with French pluridisciplinary artist NSDOS. “Zeitgeist Take 2” is a new interpretation of “Zeitgeist,” one of the tracks from Jarre’s 2022 album OXYMORE. The new version appears on the forthcoming collection OXYMOREWORKS, due for release on November 3.
Listen to “Zeitgeist Take 2” now:
“Zeitgeist Take 2” solidifies the bond between the pioneer of electronic music and the avant-garde stylings of the new generation. This reimagining of the track is a testament to Jarre's enduring influence and NSDOS's commitment to pushing the boundaries of sonic exploration. The deconstructed techno interpretation takes listeners on a journey through a modern soundscape, where synthesisers serve as conduits for communication from a dimension darker even than our own. The track unfolds as a tapestry of evolving electronic elements, with percussion appearing and dissolving behind layers of drones and haunting textures.
Speaking about the collaboration, NSDOS says, "For me it's not just the digital tools but the medium that archives. You can read a book and miss it. But a good discussion is often much richer, the act of transmitting values from person to person, in a society where we tend to believe that digital technology can replace everything. On this project, there's no apprenticeship but a discussion about values, about our art. Here, after having discussed Pierre Henry's work with Jean-Michel, I loved the trust and fluidity in our exchanges. This is where a direct and indirect transmission took place."
OXYMOREWORKS is a nine track body of work comprising re-works of tracks from Jarre’s 2022 album OXYMORE. Each track has been meticulously composed and produced by Jarre in direct collaboration with each featured artist, resulting in a distinctive new version that showcases the collective artistry of both musicians. The album spans a broad spectrum of electronic genres and includes the hypnotic, expensive techno of “SEX IN THE MACHINE TAKE 2” with Nina Kraviz, the cinematic “SYNTHY SISTERS TAKE 2” with Adiescar Chase, the warm, uplifting progressive opus of “EPICA TAKE 2” with Marseille-based Electronic producer and multi-instrumentalist French 79; “EPICA EXTENSION” with Brian Eno; “BRUTALISM TAKE 2” with Martin Gore; and “BRUTALISM REPRISE” with Deathpact.
The collection also features “EPICA MAXIMA”, a collaboration with Armin Van Buuren. The two artists have previously worked together on the hugely popular track “Stardust,” which appeared on Jarre’s 2015 album Electronica.
OXYMORE was crafted as a tribute to the French roots of electronic music which has had a major influence on the music production of the genre over the years. OXYMORE is also an homage to the late French composer Pierre Henry, an iconic figure in electronic and classical music, and one of Jarre’s influences at the Groupe de Recherches Musicales (GRM) where he studied. Conceptually it is his most ambitious and groundbreaking album to date, and the first commercial release of this scale which fully utilises multichannel and binaural sound (spatial 3D). Jarre produced, composed, recorded and mixed in 360 degree audio in the "Innovation" studios at Radio France. Sound On Sound shared, "OXYMORE demonstrates that immersive audio isn't just an extension of stereo. It's a genuinely new medium with infinite creative potential,” while Rolling Stone called the album, “A controlled, raw and festive bacchanal of sound.”
Jean-Michel Jarre has also recently collaborated with Renault to develop unique new sounds for the car manufacturer's future electric vehicles. Some of the sounds Jarre developed were inspired by tracks from OXYMORE. Additionally, as part of the collaboration with Renault, a new version of the legendary track “Oxygène 4” was created, merged with “EPICA” from OXYMORE. The new version will be available commercially soon.
OXYMORE is out now. The album is available as CD, Double Vinyl and digital in Stereo, Binaural, 5.1 and Dolby Atmos. The physical product includes a code to access the highest quality Binaural master as intended by Jean-Michel Jarre when producing the album. Listen to Jean-Michel Jarre’s OXYMORE at: OXYMORE (lnk.to)
