Oversteps
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Oversteps is the tenth studio album by Autechre released on Warp Records. It was released early to digital stores on February 22nd, 2010, and then released physically on March 22nd. The companion EP Move Of Ten released a few months later.
History
Much of the record was made using FM8,[1] Nord[2], and Max using Markov chains with "conditional forcing scales and harmonies."[3] Much of the software developed for the sessions would later being expanded upon with Exai.
Sean answered in passing that a theme in Oversteps was of "memory".[4]
An unfinished 2009 Oversteps demo from the Oversteps sessions appeared on Hanalgig. Another outtake dated October 12th, 2008 was shared by Sean on Mastodon in May 2024.[5]
Oversteps was announced with a release date scheduled for March 22nd, 2010.[6] Promotional CDs were sent out, with Radio Fritz debuting "see on see" and "ilanders" on their Nightflight programme on February 7th.[7][8] Soon afterwards, the full album leaked from one of the promotional CDs and was quickly spread around.[9][10] The digital version was unexpectedly announced to be released a month earlier on February 22nd, likely in response to this leak.[10] The CD and vinyl issues would still release as per the announced date.[11][12]
Design
The Designers Republic drew seventy-two[13][14] hand-drawn attempts at "perfect black circles using everything from gloss and poster paint (applied with various sized brushes), to Pantone markers, Sharpies and even resurrected Rotrings"[15] to create unique designs for every unique surface where they would be used. The inspiration sprung from a question regarding what computers can do that humans can't (which was drawing perfect circles), drawing on themes of human versus machine.[13][14][15]
Ian also shared an anecdote that when Autechre was giving him the music, they told him that they thought it was their "most unhuman album" to date, mostly due to the software process behind it.[14] However he thought that it was one of their most organic release, with the first listen drawing up comparison to church organs.[15][14] Ian went on to later say that the work on Oversteps was "one piece of work that means a lot to me"[13] and a contendor for his favourite piece he's done.[15]
In December 2023, TDR put up 8 posters containing the original circles drawn for Oversteps to their storefront Divine Rights, each for £2,000.[16]
Tracks
r ess
- BPM: 120[17]
- The track title “r ess” could be in reference to the first initials of Rob and Sean.
ilanders
known(1)
- BPM: 84[17]
pt2ph8
- BPM: 146[17]
qplay
- BPM: 93.5[17]
- The title possibly references the free console-based audio player of the same name.[18]
see on see
Treale
- BPM: 89[17]
- After much of the sequencing was completed, Sean noted that the rest of the track became more planned and composed.[19]
os veix3
- BPM: 102[17]
- Sean noted that the bit at 1:41 happened by accident.[20]
O=0
- BPM: 136.3 (?)[17]
d-sho qub
- The precussion used on "d-sho qub" was also used in "nth Dafuseder.b" on Move of Ten. "nth Dafuseder.b" was started before "d-sho qub" but the latter was finished first. [22]
st epreo
- BPM: 146.3[17]
redfall
- BPM: 136[17]
- The end of "redfall" features sounds from "paralel Suns".
krYlon
- BPM: 131[17]
- The title shares its name with Krylon, the spray-paint brand.[23]
Yuop
- BPM: 128[17]
Xektses sql
- Rob noted that Xektses were the remnants of a track that was "turning out better than the track."[24]
Tracklist
| # | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | r ess | 5:13 |
| 2 | ilanders | 5:32 |
| 3 | known(1) | 4:43 |
| 4 | pt2ph8 | 4:10 |
| 5 | qplay | 4:39 |
| 6 | see on see | 4:37 |
| 7 | Treale | 6:05 |
| 8 | os veix3 | 4:38 |
| 9 | O=0 | 4:53 |
| 10 | d-sho qub | 6:26 |
| 11 | st epreo | 4:08 |
| 12 | redfall | 3:49 |
| 13 | krYlon | 6:09 |
| 14 | Yuop | 6:22 |
| 1:11:22 | ||
| 15 | Xektses sql (Japanese CD exclusive) | 3:02 |
| Total | 1:14:25 | |
Trivia
- The cover art's rotated text, in conjunction with the prominent black circle, may be intentionally stylized to resemble the number 10, as Oversteps is Autechre’s tenth album.
- The CAT number, WARP210, was likely specifically requested by Autechre, as it was the next available number with a “10” in it.
- An early leak appeared in January 2010, but was later revealed to be a copy of Altered:Carbon's self-titled debut.[25]
Gallery
r ess
ilanders
known(1)
pt2ph8
qplay
see on see
Treale
os veix3
O=0
d-sho qub
st epreo
redfall
krYlon
Yuop
.jpg)
Links
Credits
- Autechre (production)
- Rob Brown (writer)
- Sean Booth (writer)
- Noel Summerville (mastering engineer)
- The Designers Republic (design) [26]
References
- ↑ Sean Twitch AMA, June 2022. ""What's the FM synths used on Oversteps?" Mostly FM7. FM8 I mean."
- ↑ Q364, WATMM Ask Autechre Anything, November 2013
- ↑ Q219, WATMM Ask Autechre Anything, November 2013
- ↑ Q805, WATMM Ask Autechre Anything, November 2013
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240522190711/https://post.lurk.org/@sean_ae/112485874698250947
- ↑ https://www.factmag.com/2010/01/13/autechre-announce-new-lp-oversteps-and-tour/
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 https://forum.watmm.com/topic/52419-autechre-oversteps-warp210-the-megathread/?do=findComment&comment=1235085
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nXcLBXR70M
- ↑ https://forum.watmm.com/topic/52419-autechre-oversteps-warp210-the-megathread/?do=findComment&comment=1235161
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 https://fatroland.blogspot.com/2010/02/autechres-new-album-oversteps-gets.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20100227154151/http://autechre.ws:80/
- ↑ https://bleep.com/release/23072-autechre-oversteps
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 https://warp.net/editorial/reasonable-person-an-interview-with-ian-anderson
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 https://www.creativeboom.com/podcast/ian-anderson/
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 https://www.thedesignersrepublic.com/oversteps
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/autechre/comments/18cha67/comment/kcamh40/
- ↑ 17.00 17.01 17.02 17.03 17.04 17.05 17.06 17.07 17.08 17.09 17.10 17.11 17.12 17.13 IOS. "Beats per minute". We Are The Music Makers, 8 November 2013, https://forum.watmm.com/topic/81171-beats-per-minute/#comment-2090074. Accessed 21 March 2024.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221005021627/http://autechre.wikifoundry.com/page/Oversteps
- ↑ Q571, WATMM Ask Autechre Anything, November 2013
- ↑ Q747, WATMM Ask Autechre Anything, November 2013
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/sean-ae-mastodon-2024-08-30-d-sho-qub-possible-isao-tomita-influence-rob-https-post-lurk-org-sean-ae-113052104630032679-hbrZ2nY
- ↑ Q921, WATMM Ask Autechre Anything, November 2013
- ↑ https://bigshotmag.com/features/25050/
- ↑ Q941, WATMM Ask Autechre Anything, November 2013
- ↑ https://fatroland.blogspot.com/2010/01/autechres-oversteps-fake-leak-scandal.html
- ↑ https://www.discogs.com/master/228099-Autechre-Oversteps