"Broadcast and The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age" is an album by Broadcast and The Focus Group, released in 2009. It is a creative collaboration between the English indie electronic band Broadcast, notably Trish Keenan and James Cargill, and graphic designer/musician Julian House of The Focus Group.
The album was marked by a distinct departure from Broadcast's previous work, incorporating a more experimental approach and strong elements of psychedelic music, sound collage, and electronica. The narrative of the album is heavily influenced by occult themes, particularly the concept of a witch cult, as the title suggests.
Each track is meticulously designed to narrate a story that blends a vintage atmospheric feeling with a mystic euphoria, with field recordings and samples sprinkled throughout to capture an eerie-yet-absorbing imagery.
Songs like "The Be Colony" and "How Do You Get Along Sir?" beautifully illustrate the conversation between a classic pop sensibility and spectral sonics, delivering a meticulously detailed musical voyage.
The album received positive reviews from critics upon its release, with many praising its unique blend of genres and its experimental yet accessible nature. It has since become known as a distinctive and influential piece in the realm of experimental music.
To sum it up, the album is an adventurous exploration of the intersections between electronica, psychedelia, and occult atmospherics, told through an almost cinematic soundscape. The hauntingly beautiful melodies are intertwined with eerie samples and sounds, creating an immersive listening experience that transports the listener to a different universe.
