Orbital reissue landmark ‘Brown Album’ with 23 rare tracks and exclusive formats

More than 30 years after its release, Orbital bring back their influential second album, widely known as the Brown Album, through London Records in a newly expanded reissue. Now available across digital platforms and physical formats – including cassette, 2CD, and a 4LP vinyl box set – this edition marks the album’s first vinyl pressing in over a decade.

Released in 1993, the Brown Album represented a pivotal moment in electronic music. Rather than follow familiar rave formulas, Phil and Paul Hartnoll blended ambient soundscapes, raw techno energy, and unexpected samples – from a didgeridoo to the chirp of an Australian pedestrian crossing. As a result, tracks like Satan and Halcyon + On + On cut through the noise. The former echoed the anarchic vibe of the early 90s crusty rave scene, while the latter became a staple of film soundtracks and late-night DJ sets thanks to its haunting atmosphere and vocal lift from Opus III‘s It’s a Fine Day.

This reissue goes beyond nostalgia. It includes 23 additional tracks – a mix of unreleased material and rarities from the era – and remixes by Underworld, CJ Bolland, and Psychick Warriors Ov Gaia. Each pressing has been cut at half speed for optimal sound quality. Meanwhile, the 4LP box set includes a slipmat and a hardback book featuring never-before-seen photos, a track-by-track breakdown by the Hartnoll brothers, and essays from journalist Andrew Harrison.

To mark the release, Orbital added new dates to their tour. They perform a full live set on May 23 at Chalk in Brighton, appear at Rough Trade East in London on May 25 for a conversation with Mathew Horne, and return to the stage at Pryzm Kingston on May 26.

The Brown Album is out now via London Records on 4LP, 4CD, 2CD, cassette, and digital formats.