Underworld share details of New studio album

Underworld, the pioneering British electronic duo, has revealed details of their forthcoming 10th studio album, Strawberry Hotel. The album, scheduled for release on October 25th, 2024, will span 15 tracks and combine the euphoria of dancefloor-driven techno with acoustic guitars and Karl Hyde’s distinctive vocal style. This marks their first full-length release since the 2019 album Drift.

Among the featured tracks are the previously released singles “and the colour red” and “denver luna,” as well as the newly unveiled single “Black Poppies.” Described as a “celestial love song” and a “hymn to the universe,” “Black Poppies” stands out as an ambient, beatless track that celebrates both full dancefloors and the beauty of life. The song embodies the album’s exploration of expansive, positive change, shifting away from conventional structures to deliver a deeply emotive experience.

Strawberry Hotel reflects Underworld’s signature ability to blend various sonic textures. The album juxtaposes sleek, techno-driven beats with scratchy acoustic guitar layers, creating a fusion of clean electronic precision and raw, organic sounds. Hyde’s fragmented poetry, often abstract and evocative, is woven throughout the album, offering a lyrical presence that bends and twists across different tracks, adding a haunting and unpredictable quality to the overall listening experience.

The album’s diverse soundscape invites listeners into a series of unique auditory “rooms,” each with its own distinct atmosphere. Some tracks rely on minimalistic elements like metronomic kick drums and robotic voices, while others immerse listeners in layers of melody and euphoric noise. Despite these variations, the cohesive, unmistakable essence of Underworld remains present throughout the album.

As part of the release, Underworld’s Rick Smith and Karl Hyde offer listeners one key piece of advice: “Please don’t shuffle,” emphasizing the importance of experiencing the album in its intended sequence.

Smith Hyde Productions will release Strawberry Hotel on October 25th, 2024. Pre-order your copy here.

You can check out the artwork and tracklist for Underworld’s Strawberry Hotel below.

Tracklist

1. Black Poppies

2. denver luna

3. Techno Shinkansen

4. and the colour red

5. Sweet Lands Experience

6. Lewis In Pomona

7. Hilo Sky

8. Burst Of Laughter

9. King Of Haarlem

10. Ottavia

11. denver luna (acapella)

12. Gene Pool

13. Oh Thorn!

14. Iron Bones

15. Stick Man Test