Here's a look at EDM monster Underworld's ongoing Riverrun Project. Underworld are well known after their 2 electronic masterpieces, "Cowgirl", and "Born Slippy".
So far there are three instalments in the series, each featuring new and unique musical interpretations from the duo, as well as sporting some rather bizarre titles...
:: Underworld - The Riverrun Project
:: UWR
1) Lovely Broken Things
The current trilogy kicks off with 'Lovely Broken Things'. This name may stem from the fact that this 30 minute session is mostly breakbeat in nature. It starts out quite slowly, with easy sounds, lots of vocal work and an easy and steady feel. As the mix progresses, the beats become tougher and faster. The sound darkens and eventually you're listening to really deep, dark and moody breakbeat with lots more pace and energy. Things are capped off here with a big slow down and a relatively ambient outro.
2) Pizza For Eggs
This erm, interestingly titled piece is in a totally different style to the first part of The Riverrun Project. This one could be described as being ambient/chillout. But there's something about the sound and style which steers away from chillout because some of it is so odd and interesting to listen to, it requires a lot of attention instead of just being able to sit back and blend into mellow sounds and atmospheres. Sticking to the ambient and flowing nature, more vocal work is used throughout the mix and there's also a kind of tribal feel which begins to make itself heard around halfway through. An eerie session indeed, this one is definitely 'out of the box' - definitely Underworld!
3) I'm a Big Sister, and I'm a Girl, and I'm a Princess, and this is my Horse
No really. It IS called that. Honestly! Anyway, the most recent addition (June) to The Riverrun Project has seen 'Big Sister' come to light. Here, Underworld have kept to the ambient and chilled style, although this 3rd session is more towards the chillout genre than its 'Pizza For Eggs' predecessor, and it also seems much deeper in the ambience department too. Because of the more relaxed atmosphere, it's easier to pick out the vocals used - and fear not - they're just as 'out there' as you'd expect.
Underworld's latest release is called 'The Misterons Mix' and is a retrospective look at these first three sessions of The Riverrun Project. It is available free from http://www.underworldlive.com/ if you have already purchased the first three parts in the Riverrun series.
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