Did somebody say “numerology”?
Normally this is a branch of knowledge that lends itself to a fruitful career as a persistent lottery loser; but in the case of Adam Wiltzie and Dustin O’Halloran, the number five wasn’t so much a reason to make outlandish predictions as much as it was a coincidental inspiration for their second independent studio album (and fifth release overall) as A Winged Victory for the Sullen.
The heavyweight ambient tag-team’s last two releases were scores for a dance piece and a film, sequentially; so finally — eight years after the release of their stunning self-titled LP — the duo can get down to brass tacks and continue to realize their TRUE creative vision. They both presumably used the five digits on each hand to create the new one, and more explicitly, the harmonic ratio known as the “perfect fifth” played a huge compositional role during the creation of The Undivided Five.
More abstractly, Swedish painter Hilma af Klint also factored-in, and enthusiasts of Scandinavian fine art might know that she was a member of a group called “The Five,” which consisted of five women who connected via their art and attempted to connect to the spiritual world through prayer and séances. A consideration of her life, alongside the recent death of Jóhann Jóhannsson, and the recent birth of O’Halloran’s first child, formed the philosophical basis for the new album. Fans have no reason not to anticipate this one.
The Undivided Five is out November 1 on Ninja Tune. Pre-order it here and check the tracks “The Rhythm Of A Dividing Pair” and “The Haunted Victorian Pencil” below:
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The Undivided Five tracklisting:
01. Our Lord Debussy
02. Sullen Sonata
03. The Haunted Victorian Pencil
04. The Slow Descent Has Begun
05. Aqualung, Motherfucker
06. A Minor Fifth Is Made Of Phantoms
07. Adios, Florida
08. The Rhythm Of A Dividing Pair
09. Keep It Dark, Deutschland