In addition to working with Björk, Leila Arab has earned a lot of attention for her solo work released under the mononym Leila. Now, the UK-based Iranian musician is getting ready to release a new album through the esteemed Warp Records. Entitled U&I, it's set to arrive on January 24 in North America and a day earlier in the UK.
This Leila's fourth album overall and her first since 2008's Blood, Looms, and Blooms. U&I was made in close collaboration with Matthew Sims, who has his own electronic project called Mt. Sims. (He also co-wrote much of the Tomorrow, in a Year opera with the Knife.)
According to an announcement from Warp, Leila selected Sims as the vocalist for her new album in 2009 and the pair worked quickly. The album cut "In Consideration" was written and recorded "within two hours of him arriving at her home studio," while the songs "Anyway" and "U&I" were completed within 30 minutes of Sims sending her the vocals.
So what exactly does the music sound like? We're not actually sure, since Warp hasn't shared a sample yet, but the label hints that this collection "felt different" from Leila's past output. Until we get a single to listen to, feast your eyes on the album cover above and the tracklist below.
If you'd like to pre-order a copy on CD or double LP, you can do so here.
U&I:
1. "Of One"
2. "Activate I"
3. "All of This"
4. "Welcome to Your Life"
5. "In consideration"
6. "Eight"
7. "(Disappointed Cloud) Anyway"
8. "Interlace"
9. "Colony Collapse Disorder"
10. "Boudica"
11. "In Motion Slow"
12. "U&I"
13. "Forasmuch"
This Leila's fourth album overall and her first since 2008's Blood, Looms, and Blooms. U&I was made in close collaboration with Matthew Sims, who has his own electronic project called Mt. Sims. (He also co-wrote much of the Tomorrow, in a Year opera with the Knife.)
According to an announcement from Warp, Leila selected Sims as the vocalist for her new album in 2009 and the pair worked quickly. The album cut "In Consideration" was written and recorded "within two hours of him arriving at her home studio," while the songs "Anyway" and "U&I" were completed within 30 minutes of Sims sending her the vocals.
So what exactly does the music sound like? We're not actually sure, since Warp hasn't shared a sample yet, but the label hints that this collection "felt different" from Leila's past output. Until we get a single to listen to, feast your eyes on the album cover above and the tracklist below.
If you'd like to pre-order a copy on CD or double LP, you can do so here.
U&I:
1. "Of One"
2. "Activate I"
3. "All of This"
4. "Welcome to Your Life"
5. "In consideration"
6. "Eight"
7. "(Disappointed Cloud) Anyway"
8. "Interlace"
9. "Colony Collapse Disorder"
10. "Boudica"
11. "In Motion Slow"
12. "U&I"
13. "Forasmuch"