Named after Greater London's own circular autobahn, the M25, and central to the early rave scene and party network in the South East during the halcyon 'daze' of Acid House, Orbital have just been announced as headliners of Decibel Festival in Seattle, WA, which will take place on September 26-30. They will be joining an incredible line-up of the best electronic talent from around the world, including the Cannabinoids feat. Erykah Badu, Carl Craig 69 Live, Kimbra, Matthew Dear, John Talabot, and many more.
Manned by brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll and founded in the late 1980s, Orbital released a string of classic 1990s singles including "Chime," "Style," "The Box" and "Satan." Paul and Phil put their partnership on hold in 2004, but a five-year absence only increased demand for their exhilarating music and legendary live shows.
Currently, Orbital is back in the ring with Wonky, their first new album in 8 years. Following their long sabbatical, Paul and Phil Hartnoll are back on fighting-fit form and ready to reclaim the spotlight. Both timeless and contemporary, Wonky puts a vividly modern spin on their signature blend of richly melodic, deeply emotive electronica.
According to The BBC, "The time away has obviously helped re-energise the brothers into crafting this triumphant grand return."
Confident, energised and eclectic, Wonky already sounds like the duo’s finest album to date. Gleaming, whooshing, shimmering tracks like "Straight Sun" and "Stringy Acid" instantly tap into the warm-blooded rush and restless bounce of classic Orbital. These are future festival-rocking anthems in the making, right up there with vintage live favourites "Chime" and "Belfast."
But there are nods to cutting-edge club culture on Wonky too – including a guest appearance by hotly tipped Birmingham grime MC Lady Leshurr on the album’s irresistibly vibrant electro-rap title track. The Hartnolls even give a radical post-dubstep makeover to their much-loved techno-rock classic "Satan," reworking it into a razor- backed beast of shuddering bass called "Beelzedub."
