English dance duo Disclosure are jumping aboard the virtual gigging train and will be releasing a custom Minecraft world to accompany their upcoming album ‘Energy’. Developed in collaboration with design collective ‘Blockworks’, the album’s artwork has been recreated as a fully explorable Minecraft world, built from over 100 million blocks and spanning a square mile.
With rolling hills, snowy mountain peaks, and deep caves, the world includes seven climates and is designed to evolve over time to reflect the album’s themes of environmental restoration. Players are encouraged to explore the landscape and do some virtual crate-digging to uncover 13 records of Disclosure’s biggest tracks reworked in an 8-bit, retro gaming style.
Three underground clubs have also been created in the world. Two of these are inspired by acclaimed real-world venues – Printworks in London and DC10 in Ibiza – while the other is a recreation of the kitchen where the duo has performed their ‘Kitchen Mix’ DJ streams throughout lockdown.
Fans can jump into the world when the album releases on August 28. A multiplayer server will be live for a week, after which the world will be available for download.
Disclosure are by no means the first to use Minecraft for their virtual gigging needs. Back in April, 100 Gecs held their ‘Square Garden’ digital music festival in the popular block-building game, with Charli XCX, Benny Blanco, and Cashmere Cat on the line-up. American Football also headlined Minecraft festival ‘Nether Meant’ around a similar time, attracting over 110,000 viewers. With 126 million people playing Minecraft each month (as of May this year), its little surprise artists are using the game as a concert platform.
Following their EP ‘Ecstasy’ released back in February, ‘Energy’ is the band’s third studio album and will feature a host of collaborations, including, Eric Thomas, Kelis, Common, Blick Bassy, and more. Find its tracklist below:
1. Watch Your Step
2. Lavender
3. My High
4. Who Knew?
5. Douha (Mali Mali)
6. Fractal (Interlude)
7. Ce n’est pas
8. ENERGY
9. Thinking ‘Bout You (Interlude)
10. Birthday
11. Reverie
