The First of the Microbe Hunters

Released in May 2000, The First of the Microbe Hunters is a mini-album that serves as a crucial document of Stereolab's transition into the new millennium. Following the dense, jazz-inflected arrangements of Dots and Loops and Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night, this EP retains that sophistication while re-centering the band's signature motorik drive. The title is a nod to Paul de Kruif's 1926 book about microbiology, reflecting the band's penchant for intellectual and scientific themes. Sonically, the record is defined by its use of vintage analog hardware, particularly the Moog and Farfisa synthesizers that give the tracks their 'space-age' texture. While often categorized as post-rock due to its non-traditional structures, the album's melodic core remains rooted in 60s pop and bossa nova. It was later compiled into the Electrically Possessed (Switched On Volume 4) collection, cementing its status as a fan-favorite bridge between their major studio statements.