Warp Records is a label with a host of legendary artists on its books, and Qobuz has now struck a deal with the company!
Qobuz subscribers can now enjoy the catalogue of British record label Warp Records, following an agreement with the French streaming service. The label’s roster includes artists such as Aphex Twin, Nightmares On Wax, Kelela, Danny Brown, Squid, The Human League and many others. Founded in 1989, Warp Records is particularly renowned for its highly regarded collection of avant-garde electronic music.
The UK was a hotbed of experimentation with electronic music, especially during the 1980s. Sheffield, in particular, became known as a breeding ground for avant-garde artists. This ‘Sheffield Sound’ (and let’s not forget nearby Manchester), as Qobuz describes it, continued to develop throughout the eighties, eventually leading to the founding of Warp Records. Those eighties hold a special place in music history. Of course, it was very much the era of rock music. But it was also the decade when synthesisers and other electronic instruments really came into their own. By the end of the decade, this had led to the first steps towards house music.
The following 1990s proved to be a lucrative period for the label. It was a time when all sorts of ‘alternative’ musical styles came together, producing hits in genres such as hip-hop, techno and much more. You can read the full history of the label at your leisure via the link provided here. Meanwhile, Qobuz subscribers can dive straight into the music using the link to a suitably themed playlist at the end of the article!