ROMARE — Oblivion LP 2x12"

Romare – Oblivion LP arrives on All You See as catalogue ALLYOUSEE001, a double 12-inch vinyl that marks the producer’s fifth studio effort and his first full-length statement on his own imprint. Spanning thirteen tracks, the record weaves downtempo, broken beat, house, trip-hop and left-field grooves into a collage that interrogates technology, social structures and environmental uncertainty. The release follows Romare’s long-standing practice of musical collage, a method inspired by the American artist Romare Bearden. Archie Fairhurst treats sampled material as an archive of voices, rhythms and cultural references, re-assembling them into new narratives rather than simple loops. On Oblivion the samples are deployed with purpose, each fragment feeding the album’s broader commentary on the uneasy relationship between humans and machines. Side A opens with “War Path”, a brooding piece that sets a contemplative tone. Its forward-moving rhythm creates tension without resolving into the typical club euphoria, establishing the record’s underlying sense of uncertainty. “Take Us” follows, stepping up with a harder, boom-bap-influenced groove that embeds a narrative about the growing complexity of people-and-screen interaction within an immediately enjoyable rhythm. “Computer Love” shifts into a sumptuous trip-hop lullaby, juxtaposing warm, almost romantic textures with archival science-fiction samples that highlight the paradox of human emotion entwined with technology. Side B begins with “Machines”, returning to a four-to-the-floor pulse while a German-language recital of Goethe’s “Blessed Longing” drifts above the throbbing beat. The historic voice placed in a contemporary electronic setting creates a dialogue between past and present, reinforcing the record’s thematic focus. “They Love It” and “The Need” continue the alternation between groove-driven sections and more atmospheric passages, reinforcing the album’s chapter-like structure rather than a collection of isolated singles. Side C opens with “Breathe”, one of the most immediately accessible moments. Its relaxed rhythmic character opens space while the carefully chosen fragments maintain the album’s tension. “Deeds, Not Words” redirects attention toward social and political concerns, keeping the groove central while allowing the conceptual weight to surface. “Fearful Symmetry” deepens the introspective mood, offering space for unresolved ideas to linger. Side D continues the reflective trajectory. “Questions” sustains the album’s open-ended inquiry, while “Change” and “The Last Lullaby” let the rhythmic momentum give way to more spacious arrangements, underscoring a journey through uncertainty rather than a conventional climax. The final track, “Light of Imagination”, appears exclusively on the vinyl edition, providing a closing statement that is unavailable in the digital version and rewarding the physical format with a unique conclusion. Oblivion stands as a conceptually focused record within Romare’s catalogue, extending the producer’s collage-based approach into a cohesive, album-length narrative. The sequencing and thematic continuity place it alongside contemporary underground releases that prioritize both intellectual depth and dancefloor relevance, offering a nuanced perspective on current anxieties through richly textured electronic music. For DJs, the record offers a range of entry points: the deeper, groove-oriented cuts such as “Take Us” and “Machines” work well in late-night sets, while the more melodic, trip-hop moments like “Computer Love” and “Breathe” provide atmospheric bridges. Collectors will appreciate the double-vinyl format and the exclusive “Light of Imagination”, which underscores the tactile value of the medium and the artist’s commitment to a physical listening experience. Oblivion LP is presented as a 2×12-inch vinyl release on All You See, catalogue ALLYOUSEE001, featuring thirteen tracks that traverse electronica, beats house, trip-hop house and pop house. Tracklist: A1. Romare – War Path A2. Romare – Take Us A3. Romare – Computer Love B1. Romare – Machines B2. Romare – They Love It B3. Romare – The Need C1. Romare – Breathe C2. Romare – Deeds, Not Words C3. Romare – Fearful Symmetry D1. Romare – Questions D2. Romare – Change D3. Romare – The Last Lullaby D4. Romare – Light of Imagination