UK electronic music duo Orbital (brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll) shared the music video for Smiley, from their new album 30 Something.
They say that Smiley is inspired by Orbital’s origins as part of the late 80s rave scene, and also references the iconic Smiley Face pop culture symbol, which is officially 50 years old this year. Trademarked by French journalist Franklin Loufrani in 1972, the image was famously adopted as a symbol of Acid House.
Here’s what they have to say about the new album:
“Orbital missed their actual thirtieth anniversary due to lockdown, but it gave Paul and Phil pause to think and find a way to celebrate their past that was actually about the future.
Unlike other Best Of’s, the ‘30-Something’ album contains reworks, remakes, remixes and re-imaginings of landmark Orbital tracks, based on the duo’s unrivalled live show. Satan, The Box, Impact, Belfast and more appear in new ’30-Something’ guises, familiar yet new, time reversing, yesterday becoming tomorrow.
Plus new track ‘Smiley’ Also including remixes from Yotto, ANNA, Jon Hopkins, Dusky, Joris Voorn, Logo 1000, Eli Brown, Shanti Celeste and more.”
30 Something is available now.
Orbital is awesome! Always great to hear something new from them.
one of the only groups I ever saw in concert. visually the show was boring – headlamps? but the music was great.
it’s all danceable and electronic so i wouldn’t look at the stage much anyway, unlike all the things performers choose to wear to show off headlamps are very practical.
One thing is a show in a smaller venue and another, very different, is a concert with plenty money invested in visuals. Like him or not, Deadmou5 put great visual experiences and raised the bar for musicians everywhere. People now expect something to happen visually because music hasnt been enough for a few decades now.
nah, I usually read a book when listening to music.
Sounds like music for childrens TV.
The vido and track is GREAT. You gotta love how people version of Chicago Acid House still rules the dance floor! Nice art Orbital. This is ACID ???