The vanguards of 20th and 21st century psychedelic music lead the
way with new studio album.
This CD edition is presented in digipack packaging, whilst the LP edition is
presented on 180g heavyweight black vinyl in single sleeve packaging.
“the Gong legacy gets a blast of adrenaline” – All About Jazz
Remember; there is only now. Following the success of their 2016 album,
‘Rejoice ! I’m Dead !’, which was a transitional album in the evolution of Gong
and was an opportunity to say goodbye to the great Daevid Allen, the current
formation of Gong are releasing an album for them. ‘The Universe Also
Collapses’ is the sound of Gong in 2019, as vanguards of 21st century
psychedelia; propulsive, mystical and ecstatic.
Having spent the past two years touring the world, including dates in Japan
with psych legend Steve Hillage, multiple headline European tours and
festivals, America’s ‘Cruise to the Edge’ festival, a South America headline tour
and a headline performance at ‘Tomorrow Festival’ in China, the band have
won the hearts of both traditional and modern Gong fanbases. During this live
journey, Gong have delved further into the truly psychedelic, exploratory and
mind-expanding side of the music, and have created an album which reflects
their experience.
Frontman Kavus Torabi explains the concept behind the new material “Lyrically
it can be summed up with the phrase ‘Remember there is only now’, which was
originally the working title! Everything is happening at once and always will be.
There is only this and there is only now. This is both a statement about where
the band is at, being part of the long Gong continuum but being here and now
as Gong in 2019 but the birth and death of the universe too. The Big bang and
the eventual collapse of the Universe and everything in between is all
happening in the same instant. In this very moment. Time is an illusion. All we
have it this and it is beautiful.”
‘The Universe Also Collapses’ was recorded at Snorkel Studios in London,
engineered and mixed by Frank Byng, mastered by Andy Jackson at Tube
Mastering and features new artwork designed by 57 Design. Gong will be
heading on an extensive UK tour beginning in May in support of the new album.