Not many artists in today’s music industry, specifically EDM, have been in the game for a long time. With so many brilliant minds and tons of competition, it can be difficult for breakout artists to consistently adapt their sound to the changing trends and stay relevant. One artist that stands out for withstanding the test of time is Orbital. Brought to music lovers by British brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll, the duo has a style so magnetic that they have been able to dominate the electronic scene for over 30 years.
During the mid-90s, Orbital exponentially grew its following by becoming one of the hottest acts in the realm of techno. Over the span of their career, the pair has dropped iconic singles like “Chime”, “Belfast”, and many more. Lately, Orbital has gained attention from top-tier artists in modern techno, such as ANNA and Eli Brown, both of which have reworked Orbital’s classic anthems. As Orbital works on their most exciting project yet, an upcoming LP called Optical Delusion, the duo has decided to release the album’s opening track “Ringa Ringa”.
Immediately captivating listeners with its futuristic blend of trance and techno, “Ringa Ringa” draws inspiration from multiple sources. Discussing the single’s concept, Paul of Orbital says, “I’ve always liked folk music and medieval sounds. I had the basis of that track and I wanted to spin it off somehow.” This song is strongly connected to The Mediaeval Baebes’ rendition of “Ring O’Roses”, a nursery rhyme centered around the Black Death that regained popularity due to the pandemic.
“Ringa Ringa” uses a combination of loops, vocal cuts, crisp percussion, and more, to give off a 90’s rave groove to its audience. This psychedelic anthem and its ethereal sound design are guaranteed to build even more anticipation for the veteran Orbital’s upcoming LP.
