Warp Records’ Cryptic Poster Run Hints at Boards of Canada Return

Is Boards of Canada about to end its 13-year-long hibernation? If a cryptic poster run by Warp Records is anything to go by, the answer might finally be yes.

The beloved British independent label has dropped a bombshell for the electronic duo’s long-suffering fanbase, initiating a string of puzzling images that raise more questions than they offer answers. The posters, which were shared on Warp’s official social channels without comment, depict zombified children—a visual motif that ties directly into the artwork for the act’s 1998 magnum opus, Music Has The Right to Children. Each image is stamped with a brand that invokes the group’s iconic Hexagon Sun logo.

The easter eggs do not end there. Keen-eyed fans have noted that New York and London phone numbers appear among the imagery, while the edge of a “City of Westminster” street sign and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame are also visible in various shots. What these clues signify remains a mystery, but they have certainly reignited speculation about a potential album release.

Boards of Canada, comprised of brothers Mike Sandison and Marcus Eoin, are renowned for their enigmatic, secretive nature and their status as icons of minimal electronic music. The siblings rarely grant interviews and have performed only a small handful of live shows, mostly in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their fourth and most recent studio album, 2013’s Tomorrow’s Harvest, marked a significant milestone, peaking at No. 7 in the U.K. and reaching No. 13 on the Billboard 200. That release was also preceded by a subtle, drip-fed promotional campaign that rewarded dedicated fans for their sleuthing.

While the duo’s impact is rarely measured in traditional metrics like streams or chart-topping hits, their influence on the alternative electronic landscape is profound. In 2019, they offered a brief return to the spotlight with “XYZ,” a previously unreleased track from their 1998 Peel Session, which was included in the Warp Records 30th anniversary package, WXAXRXP Sessions.

Whether this current teaser points toward a new full-length project or perhaps a Record Store Day exclusive remains to be seen. Given that their most recent social media activity occurred 34 weeks ago to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut mini-album Twoism, fans are hopeful that this latest campaign is the precursor to a long-awaited return.