Electronic pioneers 808 State returns to the music scene with the announcement of one of two new EP’s, Initial Granada Report, set to be released this summer. Along with a releasement of an EP, the band also has a fresh new song, “Tokoyo Tokoyo,” streaming for fans viewing. This is the first original song since 2002. Since then, 808 State has remained under the scope through a series of remixes and an occasional edit here and there, but throughout the years they have continued to play live.
Per the press release, the sound of “Tokoyo Tokoyo” is illustrated as “a rubbery acid line bouncing into earshot as mechanical clanks and ambient soundbites create an eerie backdrop.”
Watch the artwork video below.
Initial Granada Report is comprised of four original tracks by 808 State. “UJAJA,” the leading song on the forthcoming EP is described as “a fiercely moody stomper.” Metaphorically speaking, the song allows breaks illuminated by sunlight to briefly slide into view before taking them away at its ending. From then on, broken beats become headliners on the recently released “Tokoyo Tokoyo.” The third track is “PLANETEN,” which is noted as an endlessly changing cut with uttered word vocal samples and “crawlingly sinister synths.” This track is just before the band goes into a “full rave mode” on their last single “BATAGLLA.” “BATAGLLA” is the finale of Initial Granada Report; an angry, noisy beast of a record controlled by a ragged lead synth and hammering kicks.
Originally formed in 1987, the band is comprised of current bandmates Graham Massey and Andrew Barker and former band members Gerald Simpson, Darren Partington, and Martin Price. After releasing the debut album Newbuild in September of 1988, the band continued their success with five more studio albums with their recent one being Outpost Transmission released in 2002.
“We’re trying to make a future for other people to immerse themselves in, Graham Massey said. It feels a bit like an imaginary landscape. That’s always been a big part of 808 State when you go back through the music: these [kinds] of landscapes of futurism.”
View the tracklist and upcoming tour dates below.
808 STATE – INITIAL GRANADA REPORT
01. UJAJA
02. TOKYO TOKYO
03. PLANETEN
04. BATAGLLIA
808 STATE – LIVE DATES 2019 (MORE TBA)
13 July – Dreamland, Margate
20 July – Bluedot Festival, Jodrell Bank
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