Richard Russell, the visionary behind XL Recordings, has left a significant mark on contemporary music with his collaborative project, Everything Is Recorded. His debut album under this moniker, released in 2018, demonstrated his talent for weaving together a broad spectrum of genres and artists. The record brought together an impressive lineup, including Sampha, Obongjayar, Kamasi Washington, Giggs, Ibeyi, Wiki, Syd, Rachel Zeffira, Infinite, Green Gartside, Peter Gabriel, and Owen Pallett. Lauded for its experimental approach and seamless fusion of musical styles, the album earned critical recognition and was shortlisted for the prestigious Mercury Prize that year.
Building on this success, Russell returned in 2020 with Friday Forever, a follow-up that further expanded the project’s sonic scope. Featuring contributions from Berwyn, Maria Somerville, Aitch, Infinite Coles, Flohio, Ghostface Killah, James Massiah, A.K. Paul, Kean Kavanagh, and Penny Rimbaud, the album unfolded as a concept piece. It captured the highs and lows of a single night out, beginning at 9:46 PM on a Friday and concluding at 11:59 AM the following morning, offering a vivid, atmospheric journey through nocturnal energy and its morning-after reflections.
Russell’s approach to production is rooted in collaboration and creative freedom, bringing together artists from different backgrounds to craft music that defies traditional genre constraints. His work with Everything Is Recorded embodies his philosophy of music as a shared, evolving experience—one that bridges styles, influences, and emotions to create something truly unique and boundary-pushing.
