Stereolab

Cybele's Reverie

Emperor Tomato Ketchup (1996)

"Cybele's Reverie" is a celebrated track by the English-French band Stereolab, released in 1996. It serves as the lead single from their acclaimed fourth studio album, Emperor Tomato Ketchup, and also headlines its own EP. The song is renowned for its lush arrangements, French lyrics, and a blend of avant-pop, krautrock, and orchestral pop influences1.

Musical Style and Composition

• Genre: Avant-pop, indie pop, experimental rock
• Language: French (the entire EP features no English lyrics)
• Instrumentation: Features strings, electric piano, vibraphone, organ, and layered vocals, creating a dreamy, cinematic soundscape
• Key Contributors:
  • Laetitia Sadier: Vocals, songwriting
  • Tim Gane: Songwriting
  • Mary Hansen: Vocals
  • John McEntire: Synthesizer, percussion, production, mixing
  • Sean O'Hagan: Organ, electric piano, string arrangements
• Distinctive Features:
  • The song’s arrangement is marked by a rich orchestration and melodic complexity
  • The EP version is an early fade of the album version

Release Information

• Label: Duophonic UHF Disks
• Producer(s): Stereolab, John McEntire, Paul Tipler

Lyrics and Themes

• The lyrics are sung in French and evoke mythological and poetic imagery, referencing Cybele, an ancient Anatolian mother goddess.
• The song’s dreamy tone and lush instrumentation complement its themes of reverie and transformation.
• The track is celebrated for its melodic hooks and the interplay between Sadier's vocals and the instrumental textures.

Track Listing (EP)

1. Cybele's Reverie – 2:56
2. Les Yper-Yper Sound – 5:19
3. Brigitte – 5:45 (a tribute to French singer Brigitte Fontaine)
4. Young Lungs – 6:36

• "Les Yper-Yper Sound" is a reimagined version of the album track "Les Yper-Sound".

Reception and Legacy

• The song was voted number eleven on John Peel's Festive Fifty for 1996.
• It is widely regarded as one of Stereolab's signature songs, praised for its sophistication and innovation.
• All four tracks from the EP were later re-released on the Oscillons from the Anti-Sun compilation.
• "Cybele's Reverie" remains a fan favorite and a highlight of Stereolab’s live performances.

Personnel

Chart Performance

Legacy

"Cybele's Reverie" stands as a quintessential example of Stereolab’s inventive approach to pop music, blending experimental textures with melodic accessibility and continental flair. Its enduring appeal lies in its sophisticated sound, evocative lyrics, and the band’s unique fusion of musical styles1.