Pete Shelley’s first two post-Buzzcocks solo albums, Homosapien and XL-1, are being reissued by Domino.
The updated release of the two records will mark the first time that they have been reissued individually. They were previously included only as part of a box set exploring the late artist’s work, which Genetic Records put out in 2018.
The vinyl release of both albums will come housed in gatefold sleeves featuring the original, fully restored artwork, while there will also be an extra disc featuring B-sides, dubs and extended mixes. They will also contain inserts featuring previously unseen photos and imagery, as well as sleeve notes by writer Clinton Heylin. Both records will additionally be made available on CD for the first time since 2006.
Both Homosapien and XL-1 – released in 1981 and 1983, respectively – were recorded by the Buzzcocks frontman with producer Martin Rushent. The albums saw Shelley embrace a wider musical sound following the initial dissolution in 1981 of the band he led, working with synths and other electronics. Homosapien‘s title track, for which you can watch a video below, was released as a UK single and subsequently banned from airplay by the BBC due to its explicit homosexual references. It became a hit nevertheless, including in gay clubs at the time.
Domino will release Homosapien and XL-1 on June 6, 2025.
