Optical Delusion
Orbital · 2023
65 min · 13 tracks · electronica
A vibrant fusion of techno beats and emotive melodies that captures a post-pandemic reflective spirit.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ringa Ringa (The Old Pandemic Folk Song) Start here — This track ingeniously blends traditional folk elements with modern electronica, setting the thematic tone of navigating through a pandemic-affected world.
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The New Abnormal — With its pulsating rhythms and reflective lyrics, this track encapsulates the challenges and transformations experienced during unprecedented times, making it a central piece of the album.
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Moon Princess — This track stands out for its ethereal soundscape and uplifting melody, providing a hopeful contrast amidst the album's more somber themes of disillusionment.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong production and engaging compositions but lacks significant cultural reach.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of layered synths that build gradually over its tracks, creating a rich sonic texture.
- Several tracks incorporate dynamic shifts in tempo and intensity, with moments of calm followed by energetic crescendos.
- The last three tracks exhibit a slower pace and more introspective melodies, providing a reflective conclusion to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective flow
- emotive melodies for introspection
- engaging rhythms for focused work
- vibrant soundscapes for daydreaming
Maybe skip if you
- seeking immediate high-energy tracks
- prefer short and punchy songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued evolution and relevance after a lengthy hiatus.
- Themes
- pandemic nostalgia· post-pandemic reflection· societal transformation
- Career context
- Released on February 17, 2023, Optical Delusion marks Orbital's first album in six years, following their 2018 EP, Monsters Exist. This release signifies their continued evolution within the electronic music landscape while reconnecting with themes of societal change and introspection sparked by recent global events.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Chemical Brothers· Underworld· Leftfield
Tracklist
- 1 Ringa Ringa (The Old Pandemic Folk Song) Start here 4:14
- 2 Day One 5:16
- 3 Are You Alive? 7:49
- 4 You Are the Frequency 4:38
- 5 The New Abnormal 5:04
- 6 Home 5:18
- 7 Dirty Rat 5:16
- 8 Requiem for the Pre‐Apocalypse 5:20
- 9 What a Surprise 3:51
- 10 Moon Princess 4:18
- 11 The Crane 5:03
- 12 Year of the Bat 5:18
- 13 Lost in Time 4:24
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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