In a world that feels increasingly chaotic, The Orb return with a gentle reminder: the mind still has places to wander. Buddhist Hipsters, out October 10th via Cooking Vinyl, is the latest cosmic transmission from Alex Paterson and Michael Rendall—a duo whose creative chemistry now borders on telepathic. If U.F. Orb was the acid-drenched blueprint, this is the lucid dream sequel.
The album’s genesis is pure Orb mythology: a dream escalator descending from the heavens, Buddhists and hipsters riding side by side, and Roger Eno beckoning from above. That surreal vision becomes reality, with Eno joining a constellation of collaborators including Steve Hillage, Miquette Giraudy, Youth, Paul Ferguson, Andy Falconer, Eric Von Skywalker, Rrome Alone, Violeta Vicci, and Andy Cain.
The opener, Spontaneously Combust, sets the tone—vintage EMS synths, backwards vocals, and a secret sample unearthed from the legendary Book and Record Bar vaults. It’s Orb alchemy at its finest: playful, mysterious, and deeply textured.
Each track on Buddhist Hipsters feels like a portal. P~1 builds into a cosmic D&B cyclone, while Baraka pays tribute to a blind Kenyan rhino—an unlikely muse, but a fitting symbol of resilience. A Sacred Choice skanks with dubwise swagger, powered by Youth’s bass and Eric Von Skywalker’s vocals.
Then there’s Arabebonics, a hip-hop orchestral drama named after a word invented by rapper Rrome Alone, who delivers verses with cinematic flair. It’s Coming Soon offers a moment of introspection, with Andy Cain’s vocals and lyrical nods to Alex’s aunties Rose and June.
The LP’s house music arc peaks with The Oort Cloud (Too Night), a lovers rock reimagining featuring Trevor Waters’ isolated vocal and a deepside NYC groove courtesy of Dr D. Ambient heads will gravitate toward Under The Bed and Khàron, the latter a celestial farewell with Roger Eno’s minimalist piano guiding us gently into the ether.
For collectors and vinyl heads, Buddhist Hipsters arrives in multiple formats: CD with a 6-panel foldout sleeve, black double LP gatefold, and limited-edition rust red, pink marble, and yellow marble vinyl. It’s a tactile offering for a deeply immersive record.
Tracklisting
‘Spontaneously Combust’
‘P~1’
‘Baraka’
‘A Sacred Choice’
‘Arabebonics’
‘It's Coming Soon’
‘Doll's House’
‘The Oort Cloud (Too Night)’
‘Under The Bed’
‘Khàron’
Tour dates
Fri 12 Sep – Mucky Weekender – Briantspuddle, Dorset
Sat 13 Sep – Glastonbury Abbey – Glastonbury
Sat 20 Sep – How The Light Gets In – London
Thu 16 Oct – Opium – Dublin
Fri 17 Oct – St Lukes – Cork
Sat 18 Oct – Mandela House – Belfast
Fri 24 Oct – Patterns – Brighton
Sat 25 Oct – The Brook – Southampton
Fri 31 Oct – Hanger 34 – Liverpool
Sat 01 Nov – Kanteena – Lancaster
Thu 06 Nov – MUZIEKGIETERIJ – MAASTRICHT
Fri 07 Nov – Waterfront – Norwich
Fri 14 Nov – Project House – Leeds
Sat 15 Nov – QMC – Glasgow
Thu 20 Nov - Things Happen Here - Totnes
Fri 21 Nov – Things Happen Here – Totnes
Sat 22 Nov – Princess Pavillion – Falmouth
Fri 28 Nov – O2 – Birmingham
Sat 29 Nov – Bristol – Bristol
Fri 05 Dec – New Century Hall – Manchester
Sat 06 Dec – Brixton Electric – London
Fri 12 Dec – Academy 02 – Oxford
Sat 13 Dec – Cheese and Grain – Frome
