In 2011, the world was changed when Editions Mego announced a series of vinyl-only records from the one, the only, limited-edition, embossed hologram, 14kt gold, new and improved human that is Jim O’Rourke. The eMego series started in June 2011 with volume 5 (the first four were self-released in Japan from 2002-2005). After that, came volume 6. And after that, volume 7. Then, out of nowhere and defying all expectations, volume 8 was released. Life, while completely chaotic, random, miserable, and empty of meaning, punctuated by an acute awareness of world-weary insignificance and impending death, was good.
But during those many moments of hedonistic O’Rourke listening sessions, did you ever think about what was up with volume 9? Did you ever once think about how the eight Steamroom releases on his Bandcamp page could’ve signaled the end of the Old News series??
Of course you didn’t. That’s why I’m the journalist making the big bucks, here today to happily objectively report that O’Rourke has announced, after roughly a year since volume 8, the release of Old News No. 9. But it’s not really all that old of news, as the ninth installment features a brand new composition, recorded in Tokyo from 2012 to 2013. According to eMego: “The work here showcases the kind of experimental concrete drift which O’Rourke has been exploring for a number of years resulting in a magical blend of musical abstraction. Whistling drones morph into crystalised rain, shortwave chaos folds into haunting organ landscapes and the intimacy of this particular journey is witnessed through the ebbing tides of sound that emanate throughout this monumental release.”
Old News No. 9 is out November 4 on Editions Mego. Life goes on!
• Jim O’Rourke: http://steamroom.bandcamp.com
• Old News: http://editionsmego.com/releases/old-news
• Editions Mego: http://editionsmego.com
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