Obey Robots is a bold new collaboration project from Rat (Ned’s Atomic Dustbin) and Laura Kidd (Penfriend / She Makes War).

Gatefold White Vinyl Ltd. Edition Of 500.

Connected by mutual friend Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff) after a YouTube music video binge, the unlikely pair pool their disparate influences and experiences to break new ground.

Described by a supporter as “21st Century 90’s indie”, the combination of Rat’s iconic guitars with Laura’s widescreen arrangements make for a refreshing rampage through themes of isolation, frustration and a craving for community.

Laura says: “The title track “One In A Thousand” sums it up. In a potentially very disconnected and lonely world, I hold onto the idea that every single one of us can hold a valuable place in our communities, offering the best of ourselves and receiving love and support in return.

Instead of clawing our way up to a lonely pedestal to be one in a million, we can stand together and be one in a thousand.”

In spring 2020, as her previously busy world reduced to the size of her attic studio, The Launchpad, Laura started creating cut-up collages from Rat’s intense, melodic guitar parts, building new sound spaces to voice her hopes, fears and frustrations but, more importantly, to offer a hand to the uncertain. In May 2021, her debut Penfriend solo album “Exotic Monsters” reached #24 in the Official UK Albums Chart, setting the stage for “One In A Thousand” to blossom into its final shape.

As Rat considers the magnitude of releasing an album of new material 32 years after Ned’s Atomic Dustbin’s “God Fodder” blazed into the UK Charts at #4, he adds – “I never thought I’d be sitting here again saying the words “we’ve got an album coming out” – and I can’t tell you how utterly amazing it feels to say just those words, knowing what both of us have been through over the last three years.

It’s been a long time since I’ve done this, and I had to do a lot of soul-searching about whether I wanted to do this again.”

Credits: Produced by Laura Kidd in The Launchpad, Bristol. Mixed by Chris Sheldon at Red Cedar, London, except for track 9 mixed by Dan Austin at Soundhorn Studios, Wiltshire. Mastered by Katie Tavini at Weird Jungle, Brighton.