Ever-evolving duo ANOTR redefine their sound with their bold and boundary-pushing second album, ‘On A Trip,’ out January 31st via their own imprint No Art. Featuring shimmering disco, hypnotic alt-soul, raw post-punk/krautrock, and uplifting indie dance, the album marks the duo’s most experimental and introspective work to date ahead of their world tour.
Written and recorded during a series of psychedelic creative retreats in Ibiza, Los Angeles, and the Netherlands, the album captures ANOTR’s artistic evolution, fueled by microdosing psilocybin mushrooms to unlock new creative pathways. These mind-expanding experiences allowed the duo to break free from their club-focused house roots, embracing live instrumentation and recording their own vocals for the first time on standout tracks like ‘SET IT ON FIRE’, ‘Care For You’, ‘Bad Trip’ and ‘Living In A Dream.’
“It’s the scariest thing we’ve ever done music-wise,” they reveal, “but we had a lot of fun doing it.”
The album also features collaborations with GRAMMY-nominated Cuban artist Cimafunk, PAMÉ, Kurtis Wells, Leven Kali, Tyler Daley, and Erik Bandt. Previously shared singles ‘24 (Turn It Up)’, ‘How You Feel’, and ‘SET IT ON FIRE’ hint at the expansive sonic palette, while the disco-infused focus track ‘Currency’ and alt-soul single ‘Care For You’ further highlight their evolution from their early tech house-orientated sound.
This creative transformation began during the COVID pandemic when ANOTR started hosting retreats, a tradition they’ve continued ever since. “We rent a house in the middle of nowhere, surround ourselves with nature, and invite friends, family, and musicians to connect. We go for walks, make dinner, and talk a lot. The studio is always there when we feel like it, and the music comes from a place of want, not need,” they explain.
‘On A Trip’ delves into themes of self-discovery, connection, and how the duo view the world. “After our last album, we tried making the same music, but it didn’t feel right. So we started every project with a blank canvas, experimenting with tempos and breaking boundaries. It’s about stepping outside of our comfort zone again,” they share.
‘On A Trip’ is available here