Ex:el

Released in 1991 on ZTT Records, Ex:el represents the creative peak of 808 State's original lineup before the departure of Martin Price. The album is historically significant for being the first major electronic release to bridge the gap between dance music and alternative rock through high-profile collaborations. The inclusion of Björk (then of The Sugarcubes) on 'Qmart' and 'Ooops' began a long-term creative partnership with Graham Massey, while Bernard Sumner's appearance on 'Spanish Heart' linked the rave era to Manchester's post-punk royalty. Sonically, the album moved away from the lighter 'Pacific State' sound toward a heavier, more industrial 'acid techno' aesthetic, characterized by the aggressive 'Cübik' and the chart-topping 'In Yer Face'. It famously popularized the 'we are the music makers' sample from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, a phrase that would become a trope in electronic music. Critics often cite Ex:el as a foundational text for the Intelligent Dance Music (IDM) movement that followed.