Woo - Xylophonics + Robot X (2024) Hi-Res

UK cult faves Woo revisit and reshape their seminal albums, Robot X and Xylophonics, for the first time on double CD and vinyl sets.

Fans of the UK experimental duo Woo have reason to celebrate with their newly reimagined albums, 2016's Robot X and 2017's Xylophonics which have undergone a significant revamp, featuring updated artwork, and are now being released as a two-in-one album on both compact discs and 2LP set, as well as digitally.

The collaboration between Independent Project Records and Woo dates back to 1988, with releases like Whichever Way You Are Going, You Are Going Wrong and the cult favorite It’s Cosy Inside from 1989. Fast forward almost 40 years, and the creative minds behind Woo, Mark and Clive Ives, have teamed up again with IPR in its fourth year since relaunching.

Clive Ives of Woo shared his enthusiasm, saying, "We had a great collaboration with Bruce [Licher] back then. Both Mark and I are thrilled about this new double album with IPR. We admire Bruce’s aesthetic and unique designs, and he has exceeded our expectations with his beautifully crafted letterpress artworks for the two albums. IPR also enlisted the brilliant Josh Bonati to master our albums."

Bruce Licher, the founder of Independent Project Records, expressed his excitement about reconnecting with Woo after almost four decades. He noted the distinct and unique sound that the Brothers Ives create, describing Robot X and Xylophonics as wonderfully weird albums that carry the electronic uniqueness from their earlier works.

Robot X and Xylophonics offer a blend of retro-futuristic visions, combining experimentation with various musical influences. The albums present a layered yet minimalist experience, inviting listeners to explore their own fantasies, whether rooted in the past, present, or a speculative robotic future.

Robot X, born from 4-track tape machine recordings in the '80s, is described by Clive Ives as one of their most abstract and surreal albums. Inspired by the imminent rise of humanoid robots and influenced by Terry Gilliam’s Brazil, the album explores a dystopian world overly reliant on quirky machines. The artwork reflects this theme, featuring collages of old industrial machinery etchings that create robots distinctly impractical compared to modern designs, sparking questions about how logical machines can coexist with unpredictable humans.

Meanwhile, Xylophonics, like many Woo projects, takes shape from reworked tracks found in the '90s archive. This period marked their shift to computer recording, allowing seamless fusion of drum machines with keyboards, loop creation, and multitracking without the constraints of tape decks. The album showcases melodic loops with tuned percussion instruments, projecting a futuristic and optimistic vibe.