In a changing, unpredictable, and turbulent world, something we can always rely on is a new Orb album, with the next holiday-for-the-head never far away. On what is quite possibly the millionth longplayer helmed by electronic lifer Alex Paterson; partnered with the now firmly-entrenched boy wonder Michael Rendall; the inspirationally productive outfit yet again deliver the goods, with one of their best yet.
“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. 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.
New single ‘It’s Coming Soon,’ the second track to be taken from forthcoming album ‘Buddhist Hipsters,’ features Andy Cain’s dulcet tones, that grace this plaintive-arpeggiated-prog-throbber, on which Alex manages to smuggle a nod to his aunties Rose and June into the lyrics.
Five on Friday with Phin
1980 Recordings just released Ready For Work by Alejo MartinRecording 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. 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.” Alex Paterson
‘Spontaneously Combust’ kicks off in fine style, with Steve Hillage’s unmistakeable guitar, Miquette Giraudy on vintage EMS synth, plus blue roomy bass, backwards vocals, and gentle dream house grooves. It features a top-secret sample, suggested to Alex by shopkeeper-par-excellence Michael King, taken from his mythical basement vaults at West Norwood’s Book and Record Bar.
A recent live set starter, ‘P~1’ slowly builds into firing cosmic D&B cyclones, whilst the bleeped-up late 70s synth of ‘Baraka’ is an ode to a famous Kenyan blind rhino, who, tellingly is known as a symbol of resilience. Already a firm live favourite, ‘A Sacred Choice’ is prime leaping reggae skank, with Youth on bass, Paul Ferguson on drums, Andy Falconer on atmospherics, and vocals by Eric Von Skywalker.
The title of the eastern influenced, orchestral drama of hip hop banger ‘Arabebonics’ is a word invented by rapper Rrome Alone, who lends vocals to the track, with added BVs and strings from Violeta Vicci.
Elsewhere, prog-throbber ‘It’s Coming Soon’ continues the trip, before the dusty nostalgic vibes of ‘Doll’s House’ glows and pulsates in all the right ways, scattering sound beams like a planet sized disco ball.
With Alex having met lovers rock legend Trevor Waters and discovering his classic ‘Love Me Tonight’, Rendall isolated the vocal using Logic, transforming the original into the pinnacle of the LP’s house music passage. Newly titled ‘The Oort Cloud (Too Night)’ and aided by cult Manchester disc jockey Dr D, they embark on a classic NYC deepside journey, for a moment of dancefloor ecstasy.
Joined by cohort Andy Falconer whom Alex calls “an ambient god”, the pair go so many fathoms deep that they aren’t merely out of their pit, but ‘Under The Bed’, which displays of the awe of the cosmos like a planetarium from heaven. Named after the sister planet of Pluto, the delightful ‘Khàron’ conjures a universe alive with light and celestial beings, largely aided by Rober Eno’s stunningly sparing piano. Finishing on a high, it bids us a warm goodnight.
‘Buddhist Hipsters’ is released on October 10th via Cooking Vinyl and will be available on CD with a 6 panel fold out sleeve, black double LP vinyl with a gatefold sleeve and limited-edition rust red, pink marble and yellow marble vinyl.
Pre-order here
Tracklisting
‘Spontaneously Combust’
‘P~1’
‘Baraka’
‘A Sacred Choice’
‘Arabebonics’
‘It’s Coming Soon’
‘Doll’s House’
‘The Oort Cloud (Too Night)’
‘Under The Bed’
‘Khàron’
Tour dates
Fri 12 Sep 2025 Orb Live Mucky Weekender – Briantspuddle, Dorset
Sat 13 Sep 2025 Orb Live Glastonbury Abbey – Glastonbury
Sat 20 Sep 2025 Orb Live How The Light Gets In – London
Thu 16 Oct 2025 Orb Live Opium – Dublin
Fri 17 Oct 2025 Orb Live at St Lukes – Cork
Sat 18 Oct 2025 Orb Live Mandela House – Belfast
Fri 24 Oct 2025 Orb Live Patterns – Brighton
Sat 25 Oct 2025 Orb Live The Brook – Southampton
Fri 31 Oct 2025 Orb Live Hanger 34 – Liverpool
Sat 01 Nov 2025 Orb Live Kanteena – Lancaster
Thu 06 Nov 2025 Orb Live MUZIEKGIETERIJ – MAASTRICHT
Fri 07 Nov 2025 Orb Live Waterfront – Norwich
Fri 14 Nov 2025 Orb Live Project House – Leeds
Sat 15 Nov 2025 Orb Live QMC – Glasgow
Fri 21 Nov 2025 Orb Live Things Happen Here – Totnes
Sat 22 Nov 2025 Orb Live Princess Pavillion – Falmouth
Fri 28 Nov 2025 Orb Live O2 – Birmingham
Sat 29 Nov 2025 Orb Live Electric Bristol – Bristol
Fri 05 Dec 2025 Orb Live New Century Hall – Manchester
Sat 06 Dec 2025 Orb Live Brixton Electric – London
Fri 12 Dec 2025 Orb Live Academy 02 – Oxford
Sat 13 Dec 2025 Orb Live Cheese and Grain – Frome
Discover more from Decoded Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
