Hifiklub: KO Computer
KO Computer is Hifiklub’s 22nd album, recorded and mixed by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago. An album entirely produced on analog tapes, without the use of computers. Featuring Donna Diane (Djunah), Brianna Tong (Cordoba, Je’raf, Bussy Kween Power Trip), and Eric Novak (Dissonant Dessert, Cordoba).
Since 2006, Hifiklub’s hard work has led to a vast catalog, notably consisting of twenty-two albums, and several dozen short formats, oftentimes associated with visual arts production: films, documentaries, exhibitions, and even experimental videos. In perpetual change, the multiple projects carried out by Hifiklub reveal the fruitful artistic friendships that the French collective has been able to establish and cultivate over the years, which has allowed them to explore the vast field of possibilities of the synthesis of music, image and text.
The experimental approach of Hifiklub’s musical vocabulary evolved slowly over time, until it became the essential facet to the sonic language of the group -- a constant that has been totally affirmed since the creation of the ensemble's variable geometry: the collaborative experience.
With more than 200 collaborations with musicians from rock, jazz and traditional music (electronic or contemporary), Hifiklub has created its entire discography in collaboration with guests, whether they are prestigious, renowned or completely unknown to the general public. An unshakeable theme to this day since none of Hifiklub's albums have been recorded without the assistance of external artists. Hifiklub imagined celebrating their twenty-second album with a special project: an album recorded and mixed by Steve Albini in his studio in Chicago, Electrical Audio.
Since the mid-1980s, recording with Albini has been both a challenge and - according to some - a CHALLENGE. His discography, both as a musician and producer, is a model of intransigence. As evidenced by his work with groups such as Nirvana, Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, PJ Harvey, The Ex, Fugazi, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Jesus Lizard, Helmet, The Breeders, Mogwai, and Shellac. The raw aesthetic advocated by this immense figure of the independent music world has offered to history monuments of naked brutality. According to Albini, “A lot of my work as a sound engineer was to match the experience of listening to a record with the sensory memory of the experience I had."
The album is out on vinyl November 15th, available for preorder now!
Tracklist:
A1 Small Cheval
A2 Lenny Conundrum
A3 Sunny Day, Midnight Black
A4 Satan's Armpit
B1 Angelfood
B2 Waiting For My Richman
B3 Sinking Boats
B4 A Vicious Hit