XL Vinyl & CDs

Review: Ibeyi are French Afro-Cuban twin sisters Lisa-Kainde and Naomi Diaz. Their latest album Spell 31 is their boldest offering yet; an antidote to apathy in a divided world, featuring vocal harmonies that take in gospel and electronic neo soul influences, further refined by XL Recordings boss Richard Russell's brilliant production throughout. Collaborators include Pa Salieu on 'Made Of Gold', singer Jorja Smith on 'Lavender & Red Roses', and rapper BERWYN on 'Rise Above'.

Review: Norwegian duo Smerz are experts at duality and creating tension between two opposites, be that dark and light, warmth and cold or tension and release. There is a real air of menace to this record for XL that layers zombie vocals over busted synths and murky breaks. Some tracks are bight and dazzling, others are swaggering and ominous like 'Rain' with its big strings and air of Bjork sound design. Recorded over three years and drawing on the members' time in youth choirs, this is an expansive and accomplished record.