“The Chemical Brothers' music is an emotional ride,” says Adam Smith, co-director of the dizzying, disconcerting visual piece created to accompany the band’s track “EML Ritual” when playing live. "As well as the euphoric, beautiful moments, it takes in dark places along the way.” 

Smith is uniquely placed to comment, for after more than 20 years collaborating with electronic duo Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, on their current world tour he has actually become part of the group, standing in for Simons while he takes a sabbatical. “It’s the best summer job I've ever had,” quips Smith. 

Born out of the acid house revolution that transformed music in the late 80s and early 90s, the Chemical Brothers are synonymous with live shows that keep the spirit of rave culture fiercely burning. Recent headline performances at Glastonbury and the Spanish festival Sónar for new album Born in the Echoes have showcased visuals that combine original films, digital effects and lighting to new heights of sensory overload. 

“In life there is an enjoyment of things with an edge of danger,” says Smith. “That's what I loved about the early raves: there was excitement, and the brilliant feeling of all being together, but also there might be a police raid – you didn't quite know where you were in this dingy warehouse with a strobe light.”

Over the summer, as audiences in Europe, Japan and America hear “EML Ritual,” they will experience Smith's centrifugal fairground 'rotor-ride,' with a matching rotary light display that pushes its effects out into the crowd. “It really captures the feeling of the song,” says Smith. “The discombobulation, the balance of fear and euphoria. We got amazingly visceral reactions from the people we cast. You can't fake it in there – you're forced to be very present.”

Born in the Echoes is released on July 24, 2015, and features the singles "Go" and "Sometimes I Feel So Deserted," and guest appearances from Q-Tip, St. Vincent, Beck, and more. 

Tom Horan is Culture Editor-at-Large at NOWNESS.