Cabaret Voltaire - 2x45

The title 2x45 refers to the physical format of the album, which was originally released in 1982 as two 12-inch records intended to be played at 45 rpm. This format was heavily favored by dance clubs and DJs at the time. The six-track release straddled the line between a full album and a collection of extended dance singles.

The album is notable because it captures the transitional period when the band was moving away from their abrasive, industrial post-punk sound. It also marks the final studio recordings with founding member Chris Watson before his departure from the group. The tracks begin to embrace a tighter, more rhythmic groove that would define their later electronic work.

The original 1982 release of 2x45 contains exactly six tracks spread across its two discs. These tracks feature extended, club-ready mixes that highlight the band's experimental approach to tape loops and synthesizers. The reduced tracklist allowed the band to focus heavily on long, evolving musical grooves.

The album firmly falls into the realms of industrial, post-punk, and early electronic dance music. Cabaret Voltaire utilized drum machines, heavy synthesizer sequences, and vocal samples to create a dark, rhythmic soundscape. This unique blend made them highly influential in the UK's underground music scene during the early 1980s.