Along with the new acronymic moniker comes a new chapter in Orlando Higginbottom’s journey through electronic sounds. His third full-length and first officially released as TEED is a uniquely personal affair within the indietronica canon, with the artist stripping back his sound (Always with Me was mostly recorded with a single synth) to achieve a more atmospheric feel and to shine more light on his emotional lyricism. The result is still upbeat and certainly danceable, though the guest list to the party it invites feels diminished to close friends only.
Without the synth-funk and chillwave influences that defined 2022’s When the Lights Go at the forefront, the record provides more access into Higginbottom’s well of influences beyond electronic music. Although the playlist he cobbled together for us to reveal that well of inspiration does include tracks from the contemporary “big dance music” scene alongside jungle and techno, he also cites balladeer Marianne Faithfull, modern classical icon Ryuichi Sakamoto, and indie-folk duo Kings of Convenience as formative figures in his sound’s evolution to Always with Me—an album title that may or may not refer to the latter group’s single “I’d Rather Dance with You” haunting him for the past two decades.
With the new LP out tomorrow via Higginbottom’s own Nice Age Records, check out his full list of picks below. You can also pre-order Always with Me here.
Decius & Lias Saoudi, “Arctic Spring”
I admire Decius so much. The energy is always there—driving and tough. Amazing lyrics and performances. I think they’re some of the best artists we have in this big dance music scene.
Mylène Farmer, “Désenchantée”
I became obsessed with this song just as I was finishing the live tour of my last album. One of those moments when a song reminds you just how good music can be, and a new creative target is set somewhere in the distance. It’s a classic in France and she’s a legend, but I don’t think it’s travelled as much as it deserves to.
Foul Play, “Open Your Mind”
This track made a big impression on me when I was 12 (changed my life along with all the other jungle I was hearing), and I’m still a bit mesmerised by it. The sliding bass, amazing dark drum programming, hardcore stabs, and then it just blisses out. Perfect. 10/10.
Marianne Faithfull, “The Blue Millionaire”
Immediate atmosphere and story, the most elegant production. As consuming as a film. It’s the confidence that carries it all the way into 2025 sounding so fresh.
Satoshi Tomiie, “Blast”
Dub on techno machines—we need more of this in the world! Heaviness and space. Tomiie is on a real roll these days, top of his game.
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Diabaram”
I had a few listening sessions with this album over the last few years, every time I was transported completely. The music is so generous.
musclecars & Toribio, “That’s My Story” (Breakthrough Dub)
So many artists bringing new energy to soulful and deep house at the moment, I’m interested in everything musclecars do. I always hear the intention and the love for their craft.
Kings of Convenience, “I’d Rather Dance with You”
Somewhere in the back of my head this song lives on. It’s never been on repeat for me, but it’s sort of so perfect you can listen once every two years and it sticks around. If someone made this tomorrow and had some marketing company astroturf Twitter, it’d be called visionary.
