"Psyence Fiction" is the debut studio album by English electronic music act Unkle, released on August 24, 1998, by Mo' Wax. The album was produced by Unkle, which at the time comprised James Lavelle and DJ Shadow.
While DJ Shadow was primarily responsible for the composition and production of the music, Lavelle played a crucial role in recruiting various guest musicians to contribute to the album. This collaboration resulted in a diverse and eclectic sound, blending elements of electronic, hip-hop, and rock. Psyence Fiction is noted for its atmospheric production and features contributions from artists such as Richard Ashcroft, Mike D, and 3D of Massive Attack, among others. The album's innovative approach and distinctive sound have garnered critical acclaim and have made it a notable entry in the electronic and alternative music genres of the late 1990s.
Psyence Fiction is the debut studio album by the English electronic music act Unkle, released on August 24, 1998, by Mo' Wax. The album was highly anticipated, largely due to DJ Shadow's involvement and the high-profile list of collaborators, including Richard Ashcroft, Ian Brown, and Mike D. DJ Shadow's prominence in the project made it seem like a natural follow-up to his critically acclaimed debut album, Endtroducing..... (1996).
In the UK, Psyence Fiction was well-received and peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart. However, in the United States, where it was released by Mo' Wax and London Records on September 29, 1998, the album reached number 107 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Heatseekers Albums chart. Although London Records executives were pleased with the American sales, DJ Shadow was reportedly disappointed with its position on the Billboard 200.
The album's first single, "Rabbit in Your Headlights," was released on October 12, 1998. The second single, "Be There," a remix of the instrumental track "Unreal" featuring Ian Brown's vocals, was released on February 8, 1999, and achieved significant success, peaking at number eight on the UK Singles Chart.
Despite the album's critical and commercial success, DJ Shadow and Unkle's partnership became strained, leading to Shadow's departure from the group during the album's promotional cycle. The album remains notable for its innovative production and eclectic mix of collaborators.
