CD Underworld – Barbara Barbara, We Face A Shining Future

Released in 2016, Barbara Barbara, We Face a Shining Future marked a triumphant creative rebirth for electronic pioneers Underworld. As their first studio album in six years, the record earned widespread critical acclaim—earning a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album and standing as their most highly-rated work since the 90s.

Produced by Rick Smith and High Contrast, the album shifts away from the frantic energy of their earlier work toward a more elegant, melodic, and atmospheric soundscape. Karl Hyde’s emotive, fragmented vocals blend perfectly with hypnotic rhythms, balancing themes of urban disorientation with an underlying sense of hope.

Key Highlights:

• Acclaimed Return: Universally praised by critics as a "near-perfect" late-career masterstroke.
• Genre: A masterful exploration of electronic, progressive house, and downtempo textures.
• Standout Tracks: Includes the sleazy, high-energy opener "I Exhale" and the blissful, atmospheric closer "Nylon Strung."
• The Narrative: Titled after the final words spoken by Rick Smith’s father, the album captures a powerful duality of despair and profound optimism.

Experience the veteran duo at their best—this is a essential, forward-thinking addition to any electronic music collection.