New releases last two weeks: Techno

Review: The iconic UK duo's equally recognisable second self-titled album i better known as the Brown Album i remains a towering achievement of early 90s electronic music. Originally released in 1993, it blurred techno, ambient and rave into a sprawling, richly detailed soundscape. This deluxe reissue, spread across four records, is the most rewarding edition into one of the genre's most enduring masterpieces. The remastered original tracks i from the shimmering melancholia of 'Halcyon + On + On' to the urgent pulse of 'Impact (The Earth Is Burning)' i still sound breathtakingly vital. 'Lush 3-1' and 'Lush 3-2' in particular benefit from the new half-speed vinyl cut, giving extra weight to their cascading synths and intricate rhythms. The real treasure for longtime fans lies in the bonus material including live recordings like the propulsive 'The Naked and the Dead' and the hypnotic 'Sunday'. Meanwhile, the lavish packaging i complete with a hardcover book, vintage flyers, and even a slipmat i reinforces how pivotal this album was in shaping Orbital's legacy. Sprawling yet intimate, futuristic yet deeply human, the Brown Album still feels like a world unto itself i and now, it's more expansive than ever.