Music enthusiasts and vinyl collectors, take note! Independent Project Records (IPR) has just announced an exhilarating development in the world of alternative music. On March 29, they are set to release two reimagined albums from the U.K.’s cult band Woo, known for their distinctive blend of experimental and electronic sounds. Plus, fans can get a taste of the upcoming release today with the single “The One That Got Away” available on digital streaming platforms (DSPs) and IPR’s YouTube page.
The albums in question, Robot X (2016) and Xylophonics (2017), have undergone a creative transformation, complete with updated artwork. For the first time, they will be released together as a two-for-one album in a double vinyl set and on two compact discs, as well as in digital formats.
The relationship between IPR and Woo dates back to 1988 with the release of “Whichever Way You Are Going, You Are Going Wrong” and continued with the 1989 release of “It’s Cosy Inside.” Almost four decades later, the prolific brothers behind Woo, Mark and Clive Ives, reunite with IPR, now in its fourth year since relaunching, to bring their unique soundscapes to new and longtime fans alike.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Clive Ives of Woo expressed enthusiasm about reuniting with IPR and praised Bruce Licher, IPR’s founder, for his aesthetic vision and beautifully crafted letterpress artworks for the albums. Mastering was entrusted to the talented Josh Bonati, adding a layer of brilliance to the albums’ sound quality.
Bruce Licher himself recalls being amazed by Woo’s music since their mid-eighties debut. He describes Robot X and Xylophonics as “wonderfully weird,” continuing the electronic uniqueness that Woo is known for. Their sound, according to Licher, is quintessentially Woo – a unique blend that is hard to find anywhere else.
Robot X and Xylophonics are not just albums; they are narratives of retro-futuristic visions. Both albums, experimental in nature, manage to be both deeply layered and minimalist, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in a world that blends past, present, and a robotic future.
- Robot X: Birthed from 80s 4-track tape machine recordings, it’s an abstract, surreal journey, inspired in part by Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil.” The artwork, a collage of old industrial machinery, adds to the album’s dystopian and whimsical theme.
- Xylophonics: Emerging from the 90s archives, this album showcases Woo’s initial forays into digital recording. The tracks, rich with tuned percussion like marimba and xylophone, offer a futuristic yet optimistic soundscape.
Both albums boast a diverse range of tracks that are sure to captivate listeners. From “The One That Got Away” to “Sound Corridor,” each track promises to take you on a unique auditory journey.
This double album release is a significant event for fans of avant-garde and experimental music. Prepare to delve into the world of Woo and experience their unique soundscapes like never before.
