XL Recordings announces new compilation 'Pay Close Attention' • News • DIY Magazine

XL Recordings marks its 25th year as a label this August, and to celebrate, it’s set to release a new compilation titled ‘Pay Close Attention’.

The two-part release is split into two halves. First is the “roots” of XL, ie. “underground music made for DJs.” This half features Jamie xx and SBTRKT, alongside tracks from The Prodigy and Jonny L.

Part two focuses on the “unique talents” that “released music to worldwide acclaim,” most notably including Adele and Radiohead, as well as The xx, The White Stripes and the late Bobby Womack.

The compilation has been unveiled alongside a website, ‘Pay Close Attention’, which digs into the XL archives and provides a chronicle of artists on their roster. It brings together unseen interviews, videos and mini-documentaries - if you’ve a spare few hours, there’s plenty to dig into.

“XL Recordings is a collaborative endeavour, and many people have contributed to its evolution. In the song ‘Out Of Space’, Liam Howlett of The Prodigy provided a blueprint when he sampled Kool Keith of Ultramagnetic MC’s rapping these words: “Pay Close Attention”. And whilst XL has never had any outside ownership, Gil Scott-Heron advised me not to even consider XL an “independent”, because everything is connected,” says XL founder Richard Russell.

“Part 1 of this compilation are the roots of XL; underground music, made for DJs. These roots are still growing. Part 2 features some of the singular talents who have taken the label further than we ever envisioned. There is no unifying genre; hopefully the thread of originality is evident though.

The rave music XL first became known for was known as “hardcore”; that spirit continues.

“To show our appreciation for your support, thank you DJs.

“And thank you also to the retailers, writers, and, of course, ravers.”

See a tracklist for ‘Pay Close Attention’ below, plus a video of Tyler, the Creator and Odd Future’s first ever European tour.

Pay Close Attention disc one:

01 SL2: DJs Take Control

02 The Prodigy: Out Of Space

03 Awesome 3: Don’t Go (Kicks Like A Mule Mix)

04 Liquid: Sweet Harmony

05 Jonny L: Piper

06 Roy Davis Jr. ft. Peven Everett: Gabriel (Live Garage Version)

07 Dem 2: Destiny