John Frusciante, the renowned guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is set to unveil a new electronic album through Avenue 66 on February 2nd. This release is particularly notable as it marks the first time he is presenting music under his own name on the label, delivering two distinct versions of the same album: one tailored for vinyl and the other for CD and digital formats.
The vinyl edition, titled I : (pronounced "one"), encompasses seven tracks, while : II . (pronounced "two") features ten tracks. Frusciante shared his excitement about the project, explaining, "After a year and a half writing and recording rock music, I needed to clear my head." He found inspiration in gradual musical processes, using equipment like the Monomachine and Analog Four to create soundscapes that evolve over time, layering elements and crafting each piece live without overdubs.
While working on the album, Frusciante drew influences from a variety of experimental musicians, including Oren Ambarchi, Klara Lewis, and Ryoji Ikeda, alongside iconic figures like John Lennon, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Jimi Hendrix, and Brian Eno. He elaborated on his artistic vision, stating, "Music being a solitary sculpture in sonic space was the main motivating thought," where he aimed to merge movement with stillness in his compositions.
Despite having had a longstanding relationship with electronic music since his teenage years, it was in later life that Frusciante began to actively experiment within this genre. His journey into electronic music gained public attention with the launch of his Trickfinger project in 2015.
Reflecting on his time with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Frusciante remarked, "I cannot overstate the role that being in my band played." His time focusing on guitar and songwriting inspired him to shift back to his earlier explorations in sound creation, moving away from traditional song structures to craft music grounded purely in sonic experiences.
The upcoming album will feature an array of tracks as follows:
Tracklist for I : - A1 Clank - A2 Sluice - B1 Untitled - C1 OFD (vinyl only) - D1 Pyn - D2 MK 2.1
Tracklist for : II . 1. Golpin 2. MK 2.1 3. Pyn 4. Blesdob Dot 5. Untitled 6. Clank 7. Frantay 8. Galvation 9. Sluice 10. Firpln
The release of I : and : II . is anticipated to be a significant moment for fans and electronic music enthusiasts alike, showcasing Frusciante's artistic evolution and mastery of sound.