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Hear Gesaffelstein Remix Zombie Zombie’s Stargazing ‘Rocket Number 9’

Zombie Zombie / Photo by Philippe Lebruman

Zombie Zombie pull their heads out of their synths and aim for the stars on their new single, “Rocket Number 9,” a teaser for the duo’s upcoming album, Rituals, due from Versatile in October. Last time we heard from the French duo of Cosmic Neman and Etienne Jaumet, they were refashioning John Carpenter’s film music in their own retro-futurist style; this time they tackle Sun Ra’s 1968 ode to intergalactic transit. In place of the original’s Raymond-Scott-on-DMT vibes, Zombie Zombie dial into a buzzing Krautrock chug balanced between rock drumming and crisp 808s, and laced with hypnotic chants and Middle Eastern horns. Tigersushi founder Joakim, who produced the song, contributes an “Extended 808 Mix” that beefs up the drum machines and synth squeal, like Forbidden Planet gone acid house. French man-of-the-moment Gesaffelstein rounds out the EP with cavernous, warehouse-techno vibes, all thundering handclaps and overwhelming piano stabs that strike like bolts from the blue.

Check out the Gesaffelstein remix here, and watch for the EP’s release on July 9 (digital, Beatport exclusive) and July 16 (vinyl).

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