Perhaps Foals' most concise pop statement to date - a four minute soon-to-be festival favourite - 'This Orient' features a video as striking as its’ melodies.
Rooted on a simple arpeggio, the song itself is simple, direct, and emotive. Recorded by Luke Smith (Clor) in Gothenburg, Sweden, the studio was used instrumentally: they designed a human sequencer to automate and elevate the human voice (inspired by Steve Reich), channeling and contorting the sequence through layers of guitars and modular synthesizers. While such production lends it a contemporary edge, it's the disconcerting spin on an FM-friendly melody that distinguishes the song.
Living in the ‘House of Supreme Mathematics’ - their four-story townhouse HQ - they built a primitive studio and rehearsal space in its basement, and immersed themselves in the local community of like-minded musicians, artists, photographers, and general reprobates, writing most of the record here during the spring and summer of 2009.
Foals have proved themselves an able-bodied and independently-minded band, troubled but not torn, intent on choosing evolution over extinction--and Total Life Forever is their definitive statement.
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