OX1 LN2

"The presence of science is a huge part of Oxford, but one that's often overlooked in favour of the more traditional side of Oxford University and of the city more widely, but science is hugely important to the city. This piece is a tribute to the scientific side of Oxford, as a reimagined take on the fascinating, huge tanks of liquid nitrogen that sit hissing away between the Department of Earth Sciences and the Pitt Rivers Museum, provoking many a "what if?" fantasy conversation. 

"The hissing of the tanks forms the underbelly of the track, accompanied by a "sister" sound of the same recording manipulated via a Torso S-4 sampler. Over the top of this, huge waves of distorted, ambient guitars represent clouds of gas and condensation. From here, drum beats and arpeggios make a lively introduction, and represent (and form a tribute) to all the scientific discoveries and innovations coming out of the city, as professors and boffins work all night in the very same labs that neighbour these liquid nitrogen towers."

"The title is the chemical formula for liquid nitrogen, and the postcode of the location. There is a sister composition to go along with this one, which takes a purely ambient approach to the sound. You can decide which you prefer."

Liquid nitrogen tanks in Oxford reimagined by Cities and Memory.