New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

https://underworld.tmstor.es/images/26807.jpg

Release date: March 18, 2016
(March 16 in Japan)


Standard Edition
CD: Amazon UK, Amazon US
LP Vinyl: Amazon UK, Amazon US
Digital: iTunes UK, Amazon MP3 UK, iTunes US, Amazon MP3 US

1. I Exhale - 8:10
2. If Rah - 7:12
3. Low Burn - 6:44
4. Santiago Cuatro - 4:00
5. Motorhome - 6:23
6. Ova Nova - 5:31
7. Nylon Strung - 6:48


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Exclusives

Underworld Shop Exclusives

CD Collector's Book Pack
CD+Book: UW Shop
A 12x12” 60 page soft cover book of original artwork created by tomato includes the album on CD on a pull out sheet.

Special Edition Boxset
CD+Book and LP Vinyl: UW Shop
Includes both the heavyweight vinyl and the 12x12" Tomato book with CD.
Also includes an exclusive set of 7 12x12” art prints and a test pressing of the track "Twenty Three Blue".
The first 100 copies of the Special Edition Boxset ordered from the Underworld Shop will be stamped, numbered, and signed.
The Special Edition was apparently limited to 400 numbered copies.
Update: The signed/numbered copies have sold out on the first day of sale.

From 9am GMT on Friday Nov. 27th, the CD and Vinyl albums will be available bundled with tickets to the London shows. Save £2 on the CD or £5 on the Vinyl when bought with a ticket. Tickets are only available for the London shows and please remember tickets are limited.
Update: The London shows are sold out.


Japan Bonus Track
CD: Beat Records
CD + T-shirt: Beat Records

Japan only gets the standard CD version, but it includes "Twenty Three Blue" as a bonus track.
There is also a bundle available that includes the CD plus a limited edition T-shirt with Tomato design.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

2.5 minutes of preview here:

https://soundcloud.com/underworld/un...part-1/s-3wbvu

This is different.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

Don't hear one familiar sound in any of that, save for Karl's voice. That's both exciting and terrifying.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

For what it's worth the pre-order link for the MP3 download shows the track lengths:

I Exhale 8:11
If Rah 7:13
Low Burn 6:45
Santiago Cuatro 4:01
Motorhome 6:24
Ova Nova 5:32
Nylon Strung 6:48

==ps== The shipping for the deluxe / signed package is 60 GBP (approximately $90) to the USA.... yikes. But for all that the package comes with, I guess that's expected... The band doesn't set the shipping price.

Jason

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

Longest track 8 minutes? Maybe a silly thing to be disappointed about, but I am.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

FWIW, there's a version of Santeago Quatro on the 2008-04-23 Lemonworld broadcast. It was written during/after the South American shows in April 2008.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

The sounds in these clips feel very harsh and distorted for Underworld. They've been posting a lot of analog gear on their Instagram over the last year, maybe that accounts for it.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

Just occurred to me that this is the first UW album since A Hundred Days Off where we haven't already heard a considerable number of the tracks in other forms. Both Oblivion and Barking had loads of stuff the band had performed or streamed in primordial form. Nothing to compare these to, with the exception of Santiago Quatro.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

This. Totally this.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

100 quid box doesn't do enough for me. Vinyl isn't my thing. Good luck to you people getting in on the first 100 though!

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

I really enjoy that part from :50 - 1:30. That will probably sound fantastic live. And I'm always curious when there's guitar in an Underworld song. Not sure what to make of the first 50 seconds just yet. For some reason, the sound reminds me of the Trance movie soundtrack, even though it's completely different than anything else.

Jason

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

So short, only 45 minutes! I can't listen to that soundcloud file now, but I'm really excited to hear such great news.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

I don't mind if it's different - at this stage of their career I would rather be a bit excited and 'scared' about what might be on the album, rather than knowing what we are getting (if you know what I mean!!!). If I want something like dubno, I will listen to dubno and if I want something like STITI then I will listen to that record etc!

Remember there is also a track (test pressing) is the super expensive boxset that is not on the new album as well which will probably take the running time to 50+ in total which seems very reasonable!!

I have not even had chance to listen (or unwrap) to the new STITI remaster yet so with that and a new record and new Tomato stuff and new shows and new Karl Hyde book (maybe) I am in Underworld heaven :)

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

Well great news, I have been looking forward to hearing what they have been working on. My first impressions are mixed... I am the same as another comment on here.. the first 50 seconds of the teaser I am a bit unsure of - but the following two snippets are pretty great I think.

Just an observation: the first 50 seconds sound like Daft Punk's latest album... anyone else get that vibe? But it does sound as though the song is about to change dramatically just before it switches to the second snippet.

Overall though I am delighted as ever for something new and fresh. There is probably going to be the return of some cheese (which I think Barking was full of) but also some really interesting explorations of sound and experimentation... hopefully mostly the latter :)

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

At last new underworld , something to celebrate!
The Special edition is pricey but vinyl/cd/book/artprints and of course that test pressing ...wonder how fast the first 100 will sell out, my pre order does say signed/numbered but well see...
shippings a lost more reasonable to the u.k £10.

look forward to hearing new stuff live too.:)

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

:p

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

Yeah UW albums seem to be getting progressively shorter and shorter. Of course it's the quality that counts but to be honest I think 45 minutes of material in 6 years (yeah ok they probably didn't work 6 years on the album) is pretty dissapointing. And I think UW's music works best in long form anyway. Just for reference I checked the opproximate album lengths (regular releases without bonus tracks):

Dubno: 01:13
STITI: 01:13
BF 01:14
AHDO: 01:02
OWB: 00:58
Barking: 00:54
BBWFASF: 00:45

What I'm hearing in the preview doesn't really excite me, but I'm sure some of it will grow on me.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
 

A few thoughts so far:

I'm surprised this is independent and not going out on Universal Music, given their apparently successful relationship with UMe since Karl's Edgeland.

According to this Japan article, they worked on the album from Aug. 2014 - Sept. 2015, the fastest they've ever completed an album.

At 44:48, this is the shortest album UW have ever released, beating the previous record holder, Barking, by almost 10 minutes.

"Twenty Three Blue" will also be available on the Japan releases as a bonus track.

STITI's 20th anniversary date is on March 11, so now it makes sense why the Remaster is coming out a little bit early. Also, it seems like we probably won't be getting a STITI full album tour.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

Live dates muted as well. Any full list out?

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

What is this about bonus tracks for Japan? Just add them anyway... So old school nonsense. I just don't get it: release demos / unfinished tracks as a subscription service or at least as digital tracks in the shop and we will be pleased for sure.

But very excited for new material!

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

Yeah have to agree about country specific bonus tracks , underworld have done this before .In this digital age of music why why why would you do this?

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

uh, sounds like edge land. hate to be a debbie downer but not excited by these clips.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

Well Debbie, i'll hold my opinions till i hear more. I like at least 2 of the 3 tracks.

Not in favour of Japanese bonus tracks. I have ordered way too much UW stuff from Japan over the years to complete my collection. Hello CDJapan, looks like I'll be needing you again...

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

what else i can say? I'M THRILLED.

also, i'm giggling like a schoolgirl because Santiago 4 is the name of a prison in Santiago, Chile (wonder if i'm confusing it with the Colina prison). yes, and according to an interview, Santiago was written in the city of Santiago during 2008. wonder if it's related to Trance's Santeago???

i haven't heard a thing yet. i was expecting a new track for today, not a full album release!!

also, dude, the boxset is almost a half of my monthly rent!! and since i don't have real disposable income atm, i settled for the CD+book...

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

Great surprise! Was expecting announcement to be about a play score or Karl's book.

How many times in a row can I listen to the preview? Let's find out!

Seriously, this sounds good. Even the first bit is growing after the initial shock. Middle segment seems poised to really bang, and the final guitar figure is almost comfortably familiar.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

I'm actually glad they seem to take another direction than Barking had them on, and if they are in the mood for experiments then it sounds like they are having fun!

With all the remasters and bonus materials they keep throwing at us, I can do with some new directions on the new material. :)

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

The drums sound horrible...

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

First section reminds me most of Someday World in production quality; synthetic, almost "fake/plastic" synth sounds. It's growing on me, though, and the rest of it sounds amazing. Is 'The Rhythym' a fresh vocal, or a sample left over from various ALAF takes, I wonder? That final snippet is giving me goosebump feels already.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

The shop isn't saying that anymore, so I guess that means the first 100 have all gone. My email receipt definitely says "Special Edition (Signed/Numbered)", so I think that means I was quick enough :-)

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

Guess we have to wait 10 years now, to hear some more tracks than are contained in the 45 minutes of the album ;)

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

I ordered mine a half hour before the news releases went out, so I'm crossing my fingers for #1. :)

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

;)


What is a test pressing anyways? I've never owned anything like that before? Will it look or feel any different than a traditional vinyl release?

Jason

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

I gave the Soundcloud link a listen. Interesting teaser I will have to say. UW tracks almost always shift in progression, so it's really hard to tell. The first track is very different than what I'd be expecting... it is definitely very trancelike, but then the vocals take it even further back to a more 80's feel (to my ears)... :confused:

Oh, but then once it kicks in with "The Rhythm..." I am sold on this track for sure. I always love Karl playing guitar on UW tracks, so I'm excited about this too. :cool:

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

The first snippet reminds me of this year's Leftfield's album. Sounds very modern... Don't know if I like it.

BTW. What's the use to advertise the album 4 months before the release? The excitement will be gone within month or two for me...

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

Japan exclusives? (faints with surprise)

Why not just treat the rest of us properly?

Just for once.




(first clip reminds me of Orbital...)

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

Does anyone understand how the roundhouse tickets work?

The news letter says that from Fri you can purchase the CD and ticket together, but today, there is a 'round house tickets' product on the store that requires an access code.

So....do you have to buy the CD to get an access code (which is disappointing as I just spent 100quid of the super-duper-thingy), or is this a completely different pre-sale that I am unaware of?

I ask because I have stopped getting emails from Underworld/TMstore as I think my email provider is blocking them (even though I have added them to safe senders).

Thanks.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

Thought: relatively short recording time + short album after such a long gap. Could they be planning to put out shorter albums more regularly after this, rather than longer albums further apart?

There does seem to have been a trend in recent years to bring albums back down to the 50 minute mark after the CD-fillers of the '90s. Orbital and FSOL have been doing it as well. But this one is very obviously shorter than normal - at seven tracks I was hoping for some lengthy pieces so the runtimes really surprised me.

Japanese bonus tracks on CD releases are still somewhat industry standard these days, sadly.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

the last snippet sounds quite amazing. the first reminds snip reminds me of Between Stars - a song I always figured the boys loved that I've never enjoyed.

8 tracks seems quite short but I'll reserve that judgement for later.

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

Makes sense to announce early...even though we know the boys have been busy with lots since Barking (Olympics, Trance, Edgeland, Eno collabs, touring dubno, etc etc), to the popular culture, they've been out of the public eye, by and large. With return albums by Prodigy, Leftfield and Chemical Brothers after lengthy hiatuses, it makes marketing sense for UW to build buzz early. And in the meantime, some folks might decide that the new STITI boxset is just in time for Christmas!

Re that first track from the preview snippet; I like how its already evoked an odd response.
Somehow it reminds us of Leftfield, Daft Punk, Orbital, Eno, and UW themselves or not at all. Definitely has an 80s vibe for me.
I'd bet its the lead single...

Re: New Album: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future (March 18, 2016)
 

I was about to post exactly the same comment! Guess it's fairly original if it's not so easily likened o something else.