In 1994, Garry Cobain and Brian Dougans continued to move along the trajectory established on their maiden LP, 1992’ s ‘Accelerator’ in the spacey, experimental 1994 follow-up ‘Lifeforms’. As well as being attuned to the business of getting their singles well into the charts – the title track was one of four in the Top 20 – this dance duo were practitioners of albums-as-journeys (two discs totalling 19 tracks here), with synths and pads energetically deployed in pursuit of this goal. I recall hearing this piece at sunset on a mountain, as part of a wider playlist with an abiding music-and-nature atmosphere; at the end of the 92-minute ‘Lifeforms’, one feels that Cobain and Dougans’ mission is complete, their vision exhausted.

Never sounded quite like anything else around on release and still sounds great 30 years on. I first heard many of the tracks on the FSOL Kiss FM shows from the early 90’s and the album does have the feel of DJ set with samples and recreated snippets from material they were playing. You can see the origins of the sound in their DJ sets and the ‘ambient tea parties’ of this era. KLF ‘chill out’ another album that originated from a DJ set although nowhere near as complex in its structure- see also playlist below for the sets from Kiss FM - Great stuff.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5gqw4fY3Aru6HVnIfgkxiS?si=Q7PqmHqUST2rWTu-Y_AohA&pi=e-DXkQ61OZT3Oa

In an interview FSOL did with Music Tech in early 1994 (published in Music Tech March 1994 issue) it is stated that "A new single, featuring the Cocteau Twins' Liz Frazer on vocals, released on 21st February, with a new FSOL album, Lifeforms, to follow on 14th March".
The Lifeforms album didn't not chart until late May 1994 and the EP with Liz Frazer not until August 1994. So it seems the releases got delayed for some reason or other.

Brilliant doesnt begin to come to describe what the duo set forth on the masses. This wasn't dance music(nor focused on that mal-abused genre) tho it's tentacles wrapped around danceable beats but at a greater depth and with more eloquence than anything of its time and since.
Lo-fi samples and synthesizers in the hands of audio alchemists. After Papa New Guinea's brilliance we captive listeners where privileged to experience electronica that was light years ahead of anything in the 90s. Mood,texture, pulse and dynamics all dripping with mystique. After the 90s I really could care less for their output EXCEPT for Yage which was krautrock influenced silicon based musical yumminess!

Got the system set up behind my arm-chair, this is perfect in the background when watching the TV.

Today - May 23rd 2019 - is the 25th anniversary of the release of The Future Sound Of London's seminal "Lifeforms" album.

A true monolith of electronic music, Lifeforms provided the soundtrack to chill out rooms, the drive home, "all back to mine" after parties and in some respects, the dancefloor itself - the place that this album was seemingly designed in contrast to, and to provide an alternative and hallucinogenic escape from.

The interpretations of "Lifeforms" vary, but for me, it always created visions of a murky, alien swamp, with fleeting glimpses of it's inhabitants. Then, as now, I find it completely immersive, with the claustrophobic sequences interspersed with moments of dazzling and euphoric beauty.

It's often criticised as a rip off, or a sample fest, and whilst I can understand why someone may think that, I would argue that looking beyond the samples - and indeed FSOL themselves have never made any secret of the fact that they utilise them extensively - Lifeforms as a whole equates to something that is far, far greater than the parts that have been foraged to create it.

I was lucky enough to grow up when electronic music, and in particular UK electronica was coming of age and there's no doubt that Lifeforms was an undeniable, monumental epiphany for those seeking a release and an escape from mainstream music and media. As a teenager beginning their journey into club culture, learning to DJ, experimenting with drugs, this album provided a gateway and stepping stone that proved to be the start of an entirely different way of life.

It's importance within electronic dance music, modern culture and the true spirit of escapism cannot be understated.

My favourite album of all time - I don't think that will ever change.

One of many releases that made 1994 such a magical year for ambient/techno

Genuis Album . If anyone asks me where to start with regards to collecting Electronica I always tell them
to start with these guys.

Just want to thanks real FSOL experts that made light on this release. In a first moment i thought it was bootleg but it seems a genuine version from 1994 so...99.99% possibilities that is not a counterfeit. Many apologies for my wrong point of view - apologies also to Discogs team of contributors on this release.

the most creative album I've ever listened by now in any music genre. truly an exceptional piece of art.