Xeno & Oaklander – Topiary

Released in 2016, Topiary is Xeno & Oaklander’s fifth studio album, by minimal electronic duo Liz Wendelbo and Sean McBride.

The record marks a subtle yet important shift in dynamic: McBride steps back from lead vocals to focus more on programming and analog synthesizers, while Wendelbo’s voice, clear with a slightly melancholic edge, takes centre stage. Recorded at Clubhouse Studio, the album unfolds as a collection of carefully crafted, textured, atmospheric pieces, blending chamber‑like melodies, propulsive soundscapes, and an aesthetic that walks the line between dark futurism and pop sensibility. Tracks like “Marble” and “Palms” stand out for their tension between the cold precision of synths and the human warmth in the vocals, and the seamless interplay of electronic instrumentation with emotional depth delivers a sound both introspective and rhythmically compelling. Topiary is an album that pairs technical precision with feeling, suited for late‑night listening, alternative dancefloors, or reflective moments in electronic music.