Surfing the Void is the second studio album by British alternative rock band Klaxons. Following the release of the band's Mercury Prize-winning debut
Myths of the Near Future in 2007, Klaxons began working on their second effort in 2008, recording tracks with producers Tony Visconti and Focus... during February and March respectively. After sessions ended unsuccessfully, the band returned to working with original producer James Ford, aiming for release in early 2009. In March 2009, it was reported that the band had been told to re-record parts of their second album, with initial efforts rejected by Polydor for being "too experimental for release". The album was eventually recorded between November 2009 and February 2010. The single Echoes was released on 16 August 2010.
In July 2007, bassist and vocalist Jamie Reynolds stated that the band were to begin writing parts of their second album individually, aiming to compile at the conclusion of their then-current touring schedule. Reynolds would go on to described the work as a "prog doom" album. Later in the year, the band confirmed they were heading to France to record with James Ford, aiming to be completed by Christmas for release in early 2009.
Klaxons' hugely expansive new single "Echoes", shot in the Egyptian white desert with long-time creative collaborator/Director, Saam.
In March 2009, it was reported that the band had been told to re-record parts of their second album, after it was rejected by label Polydor. The Sun confirmed that the label deemed it "too experimental" for release, with Reynolds stating that "...we've made a really dense, psychedelic record" and that "it isn't the right thing for us [the band]". In an interview with BBC News, Reynolds revealed that "Moonhead" and new track "Marble Fields and the Hydrolight Head of Delusion" were "probably going to make it", and that they were working with "Simian Mobile Disco production" during April-May 2009. Reynolds added that "Valley of the Calm Trees" had been retitled "The Parhelion", to reflect its lyrical content. James Ford - of Simian Mobile Disco - confirmed working with the band later in the year, stating in an interview with Newsbeat that they were "...trying to keep it melodic and vocal because that's one of their great strong points". Recording was completed to the satisfaction of both band and label in February 2010.
In the process of recording an album, bands tend to record way more songs than they’ll ever need. The process then becomes finding the cream of the crop and taking the refuse and hiding it in the deepest darkest archive imaginable. Then, years after the album becomes a hit, the band may release these outtakes in a reissue, all as a clever marketing ploy. But the Klaxons aren’t most bands, and to prove just that, they’re releasing their outtakes from Surfing the Void in the near future! (this isnt a myth). In an interview with Zane Lowe (via NME), the London rockers, who are just a couple weeks away from the August 24th release of Surfing the Void, revealed that they’ll also soon offer an EP of folky outakes. Co-vocalist and keyboardist James Righton said the tracks are more complicated” then the songs that made the cut and feature more layered vocals.
Surfing The Void is packed with your classic Klaxons traits, echoey vocals, screaming guitars, rattly bass, banging drums and the odd scream. From what we're hearing, they sound more of an arranged instrumental band than 'them guys who made that song that you can play on the dj setting on the keyboards in school' (which was a fucking tune! amirite?)
Echoes - Klaxons ♥♥♥♥♥
Flashover - Klaxons ♥♥♥♥
Future Memories - Klaxons
Twin Flames - Klaxons
Same Space - Klaxons ♥♥
And as ever, heres a remix from Capt and Cooked!
Klaxons – Flashover (Capt and Cooked Remix)
Check out Klaxons here on Myspace / Facebook / iTunes
Preorder the album here!
Talkbox - DJ Fresh ♥♥♥♥
