Orblivion

Released in February 1997, Orblivion marked a return to the more rhythmic and 'spacy' sounds of their landmark U.F.Orb after the more experimental and difficult Orbus Terrarum. Recorded in May 1996, its release was delayed by Island Records to align with the marketing of U2's Pop, reflecting the high commercial expectations for electronic music at the time. The album reunited Alex Paterson with Andy Hughes and Steve Hillage, resulting in a sound that blended Hillage's psychedelic guitar textures with Paterson's encyclopedic sample library. The lead single 'Toxygene' became the band's highest-charting UK hit, though the album received a polarized reception, with American critics generally being more receptive than the UK press. Sonically, the album is notable for its heavy use of film dialogue, most notably from Mike Leigh's Naked, which lends the record a dark, prophetic quality. It stands as a pivotal bridge between the group's ambient house roots and the more fragmented, glitch-influenced electronic music of the late 90s.