"Chill Out" is the third studio album by British electronic music group, The KLF. Released in 1990, the album marked a significant departure from the band's previous sound. Unlike their prior releases, which focused on sample-heavy, pop-infused dance tracks, "Chill Out" explores a more ambient, experimental style, which was quite groundbreaking at the time.
The entire album is presented as a continuous piece of music, with original compositions by the band intertwined with samples from various sources, including Elvis Presley, Fleetwood Mac, and Acker Bilk. These disparate elements are woven together into a soundscape that evokes a mythical night-time journey across America, from Texas to Louisiana.
Band members Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty reportedly recorded the album in one live session, using sound manipulation techniques and digital sampling technology to mix the various elements. At the time, this was a novel approach to music production. Despite its unconventional format, "Chill Out" was met with critical acclaim and has since been cited as a seminal work in the ambient house genre.
The KLF, also known as The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu, The Timelords, or Kopyright Liberation Front, are renowned for their avant-garde style and provocative antics, both within and outside the music industry. The group has been praised for their originality and influence on the evolution of electronic music.
