Myths of the Near Future (2007)

Myths of the Near Future is the debut album by English rock band Klaxons. It was released on 29 January 2007 through Polydor Records. Following their debut single, the band coined the term "new rave" to refer to their sound; not long after their second single, they signed to Polydor Records. They recorded their debut album with James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco at The Premises and Parkgate Studios. Myths of the Near Future, which takes its title from a poem, is a science-fiction concept album about the future; some of the song's titles and lyrics are literary references to the works of J. G. Ballard, William S. Burroughs and Thomas Pynchon. To critics, its sound recalled the indie dance-punk revival led by bands such as Bloc Party and Franz Ferdinand.

"Magick" was released as the lead single from Myths of the Near Future in October 2006, followed by "Golden Skans" in January 2007. The album's released was promoted with two headlining tours of the United Kingdom bookending a North American trek in April 2007. That same month, "Gravity's Rainbow" was released as the album's third single; "It's Not Over Yet" followed in June 2007. Various festival appearances were made, leading to a West Coast tour of the United States. Bassist Jamie Reynolds broke his ankle, which saw the cancellation of some shows, and Joe Daniel of the Violets covering for him while he sang from a wheelchair. "As Above, So Below" was released as the album's fifth and final single in November 2007.

Myths of the Near Future received generally favourable reviews from critics, some of whom praised the musicianship, though others were dismissive of the rave tag. The album reached number two in the UK Albums Chart; it also charted in France, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands. "Magick", "Golden Skans", "Gravity's Rainbow" and "It's Not Over" all charted on the UK Singles Chart, with "Golden Skans" peaking the highest at number seven. Myths of the Near Future was certified platinum in the UK and silver in Ireland, both in 2007, and won the Mercury Prize that same year. "Golden Skans" was certified platinum in the UK in 2021.

Background and recording

Keyboardist and vocalist James Righton met guitarist Simon Taylor while attending school; the latter would meet bassist and vocalist Jamie Reynolds. The trio formed Klaxons, playing their first shows in November 2005 and soon landed a feature in the NME. In January 2006, the band gained a manager and was attracting interest by labels. They released their debut single "Gravity's Rainbow" in March 2006, while its follow-up "Atlantis to Interzone" appeared in June 2006, with its B-side "Four Horsemen of 2012". While in the planning stages for the first single, Reynolds and Big Joe, who released the song through his label, were discussing genres that had yet to be revived. The pair settled on the term "new rave" as a joke, though Righton felt it was not representative of their sound. The tag was slowly being applied to the band's contemporaries, such as CSS and New Young Pony Club.

Taylor said the term stuck with Klaxons after they did a photo shoot "once wearing some funny capes and then everyone said it was this 'new rave' thing". Though the band tried distancing themselves from the genre, their fans would appear at their live shows with glow sticks and wear bright colours in the manner of 1990s rave culture. In May 2006, the band went on a short UK tour. Following a bidding war between various major labels, one of which tempted the band with a trip to space, they signed with Polydor Records. Klaxons appeared at Reading and Leeds Festivals and Bestival, before playing two shows in New York City. The bulk of their debut was recorded following Reading and Leeds.

Sessions were held at The Premises and Parkgate Studios, with James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco acting as producer and Jimmy Robertson as engineer. The band avoided electronic music, attempting to convey a similar sound with a guitar-bass-keyboard set up. "Gravity's Rainbow", "Atlantis to Interzone" and "Four Horsemen of 2012" were re-recorded for inclusion on the album. Ford played the drums on every track bar "Atlantis to Interzone", which were done by Steffan Halperin, who the band met through mutual friends of Twisted Charm. Nick Terry and Ford then mixed the recordings at The Strongrooms. In September and October 2006, they headlined the ShockWaves Presents Club NME on Tour, with support from Shitdisco, Datarock and Simian Mobile Disco. Klaxons were due to play a short, five-date US tour in November 2006; however, it was postponed in order for them finish working on their album.