Sonic Boom’s return continues with the release of The Way That You Live, the latest single lifted from ‘All Things Being Equal,’ out 6/5 via Carpark Records. Accompanying the single is a visualizer directed by Roland van der Velden. Watch and listen to The Way That You Live via YouTube below.
Following on from the hypnotic and groove-driven lead single Just Imagine, The Way That You Live kicks out as a slice of uptempo psych soul. Here, the synths wobble and throb, shaken by a whip-like crack on the off-beat. As before, frontman Peter Kember acts as the guide, his relaxing voice pulling you into positive mantras: “Make it about, the way that you live/ Make it about the love that you give.”
Such optimism and goodwill form the backbone of ‘All Things Being Equal,‘ Sonic Boom’s first record in 30 years. It’s a meditative, mathematical record concerned with the interconnectedness of memory, space, consumerism, consciousness—everything.
His new surroundings in Sintra, Portugal inspired the album’s lyrics, which stress humanity’s role in our planet’s “critical collapse,” redress the power of our symbiotic relationship with nature and plants, and riddle over Animist spirituality.
“I wanted to mix bright digital with chunky analogue,” says Kember. “Certain instruments have something about their sound that touches me deep, and I’m always trying to focus as much vibe as I can into the songs.”
With ‘All Things Being Equal,’ Sonic Boom once again offers us a new way to listen, with music that is textural, full of dimension, and conscious of its place in the galaxy. $1 from every album sold will be donated to environmental advocacy organization Earth Island.
More about Sonic Boom?
Peter Kember’s music career began with the formation of Spacemen 3, which he co-founded in 1982 with Jason Pierce (Spiritualised). As the influential psych-soul band dissolved, Kember then debuted Sonic Boom with 1990’s Spectrum. Poppy psychedelia with lo-fi edges and distinctive vocals marked Kember’s departure from his original group. His new solo work hinted at the self-taught experimentation, circuit bending, and interest in modular synthesis that would hallmark his career as a producer and performer. Soon enough, Spectrum gave rise to a band of the same name, who toured extensively and recorded several records, including a joint effort with Silver Apples. Next, Kembergot busy with E.A.R., an even more experimental and prolific project with a fluctuating lineup that counted among its many members Kevin Shields and electronic music trailblazer Delia Derbyshire, who mentored Kember in audio physics and harmonic series.
The Sonic Boom name has remained in use by Kember throughout his career as both a performer and producer, working with many other influential artists including MGMT, Beach House, and Panda Bear. ‘All Things Being Equal‘ arrives in 2020 to ice the cake of Kember’s long and purposeful journey through the years.
