THE EMPRESS — Fortune Teller LP

The Empress – Fortune Teller LP presents Library Of The Occult’s latest 12-inch vinyl venture, catalogue LOTO063, a foray into psy-trance and pop trance that merges analogue glamour with a mystic undercurrent. The collaboration unites Paul Elliot of Pleasurewood and Paul Osborne of Project Gemini, conjuring a deck of tracks that feels like a tarot spread of electronic sorcery. Within Library Of The Occult’s catalogue, Fortune Teller follows the earlier releases Dream Division’s A Rose in the Garden of Winter LP (LOTO035, 2026) and Tai Chi Tommy’s Nightmares At The Sad Souls Social Club LP (LOTO028, 2023). The label’s recent output continues to explore cinematic, library-style sound design, and this LP extends that lineage with a trance-driven, vintage-magic aesthetic. Side A opens with “1: Blood Money”, a track that sets a foreboding tone, its rhythm echoing the ominous aura of a drawn card. “2: Hell or Highwater” sustains the tension, weaving a sense of relentless drive that feels suited for peak-time momentum. The third cut, “3: The Fools Ritual”, introduces a slightly more playful twist, hinting at the unpredictable nature of a ritualistic dancefloor spell. “4: Fortune Teller” serves as the centerpiece, embodying the album’s claim of “analogue glamour” and “midnight omens” with a hypnotic groove that feels like a crystal ball in motion. The side’s latter half shifts into “5: Sweet Nightmares”, a juxtaposition of melodic allure and darker undertones, followed by “6: Bitter Almond”, which deepens the mood with a more introspective texture. “7: The Harbour Mash” brings a buoyant, almost nautical swing that contrasts the previous darkness, while “8: Switch Blade” cuts sharply, injecting a decisive edge. The penultimate A-side track, “9: Close to the Edge”, hovers near a climax, its atmosphere poised for release, and the side closes with “10: Chasing the Sunlight”, a bright, forward-moving piece that lifts the set toward daylight. The record’s sequencing creates a narrative arc: the early tracks build a ritualistic tension that resolves through the titular “Fortune Teller”, then traverses contrasting moods before arriving at an uplifting finale. This flow offers DJs a ready-made journey, from deep, brooding passages to brighter, dancefloor-ready peaks. In the context of The Empress’s collaborative output, Fortune Teller stands as a singular statement, merging the production sensibilities of Elliot and Osborne while paying homage to library music giants such as Sonoton, MP 2000 and CAM. The album’s “acid invocations” and “hot synths” place it firmly within contemporary underground trance, yet its cinematic leanings keep it aligned with the label’s broader aesthetic. For DJs, the record supplies versatile material: the darker, groove-heavy cuts like “Blood Money” and “Hell or Highwater” work well in late-night or back-to-back sets, while “Fortune Teller”, “Close to the Edge” and “Chasing the Sunlight” provide melodic lift for peak moments. Collectors will appreciate the cohesive concept and the way the LP channels vintage library vibes through modern trance production. The release arrives as a standard 12-inch vinyl, matching the format of Library Of The Occult’s recent offerings and preserving the tactile experience that complements its analogue-centric vision. The Empress – Fortune Teller LP, Library Of The Occult, catalogue LOTO063, 12-inch vinyl, 10 tracks. Tracklist: A1. The Empress – 1: Blood Money A2. The Empress – 2: Hell or Highwater A3. The Empress – 3: The Fools Ritual A4. The Empress – 4: Fortune Teller A5. The Empress – 5: Sweet Nightmares A6. The Empress – 6: Bitter Almond A7. The Empress – 7: The Harbour Mash A8. The Empress – 8: Switch Blade A9. The Empress – 9: Close to the Edge A10. The Empress – 10: Chasing the Sunlight