Description
Recorded during the first few periods of lockdown and originally released as a cassette midway through 2021, O Yuki Conjugate’s A Tension of Opposites Vol. 1 & 2 is now to be released as a limited edition, double-disc gatefold LP via World of Echo on 1st April. The enforced conditions of its creation represented a new way of working for O Yuki Conjugate founders Andrew Hulme and Roger Horberry, a pioneering duo who have worked as close collaborators on multiple projects for almost four decades now. As such, their writing is for the first time divided in two and recognised as distinct, Horberry contributing the shorter eleven tracks that make up Vol. 1 (subtitle: At Variance), and Andrew Hulme the longer four that constitute Vol. 2 (Into the Pleasure Garden). It’s fascinating to hear their approaches separated.
At Variance is defined by its mostly short-form approach, characterised by an airless ambience that recalls the late 20th Century modern minimalism of Thomas Koner, Markus Popp and the Mille Plateux universe, while in other parts, an element of the grander aspects of Brian Eno circa Discreet Music, though retaining a characteristically gritty feel. Into the Pleasure Garden provides a notable contrast, forgoing the lightness of the preceding eleven tracks and embracing what might be understood as some of the more ‘classic’ elements of the OYC sound: their storm cloud-forming, heavy weather, post-industrial, fourth-world dystopia. Together and apart, OYC celebrate their 40th birthday this year, but remarkably, even under challenging circumstances, their music still retains an almost mystical power.
Future releases in the series are planned for later in the year and will continue with this approach, charting the outer reaches of the individual members musical inclinations. In the meantime, it might be worth giving some thought to start considering this pair an institution of sorts, or at least their own cottage industry.
TRACK LIST
LP 1
Volume 1 ‘At Variance’ (Roger Horberry)
A1 Obverse
A2 Retrograde
A3 Contra
A4 Antipode
A5 Discrepant
B1 Crosswise
B2 Anomic
B3 Inimical
B4 Antonym
B5 Sunder
B6 A Far Cry
LP 2
Volume 2 ‘Into The Pleasure Garden’ (Andrew Hulme)
A1 Unfolding
A2 Entrancement
B1 Ravishment
B2 I Don’t Know I’m Not A Dream
CASSETTE EDITION (SOLD OUT)
This is the first OYC cassette release in 35 years and the first in a new series of releases. 83 minutes of new music, effectively two albums in one.
Edition of 200 housed in dual colour black and white shell, with folded Maltese cross packaging, full colour design printed on uncoated 240gsm card, inside and out.
All in all, pretty gorgeous. The word ‘fetish’ comes to mind.
Includes bandcamp download code.
(Side 1)
Volume 1 ‘At Variance’ (Roger Horberry)
A1 Obverse
A2 Retrograde
A3 Contra
A4 Antipode
A5 Discrepant
A6 Crosswise
A7 Anomic
A8 Inimical
A9 Antonym
A10 Sunder
A11 A Far Cry
(Side 2)
Volume 2 ‘Into The Pleasure Garden’ (Andrew Hulme)
B1 Unfolding
B2 Entrancement
B3 Ravishment
B4 I Don’t Know I’m Not A Dream
