Here's another recent release to come from the TouchXtone duo, the title of which is taken from Jim's favourite boyhood cartoon. Whereas there other recent album HeadmiX consists of remixed versions of unreleased material, Astroboy is taken from a live performance at the JavaMonkey show. Some familiar elements of TouchXtone's sound can be found here, especially in the rhythmic sections which often have a lot going on. The opening title track is a good introduction to what much of the album has to offer. Curious electronic rubbing and chirping sounds permeate this track while a variety of beats and rhythms keep the pace moving nicely for much of the time. Sometimes there's a metallic beat which is reminiscent of the track "Multitrack Suggestion" on Vangelis's See You Later. About halfway through an excited melody is played out on shimmering notes, then towards the end sparse piano notes help bring the piece down to a quiet finish. Making a significant contrast is the next track "Time Capsule X-3". A repeating refrain that varies a little in intensity inhabits the background in a subterranean manner, like large drops of water falling melodically in a cave. Over this we hear a melange of effects swirling around. Later on it all becomes more lively with thunderous drums and discordant rhythms and melody. Where TouchXtone excel is in atmospherics, and in some places hints of the alien pastoral elements on HeadmiX can be detected. A stand out track in the atmospheric vein is "Halley's Snow Cone". A sleigh bell sound creates a nice rhythm and it's not hard to imagine a trotting horse pulling a sleigh through snow covered winter fields. At the same time delightful synth pads fill out the soundscape and add an otherworldly hue to the sonic proceedings. Also worth special mention is the final track "Goodnight Moonlight Ladies" throughout which smooth harmonica and accordion sounds deliver a charming valedictory melody. Sustained synth pads eventually joined by a gentle bing-bong accompaniment add to the sorrowful edge of what is the perfect choice of track to close the album. Astroboy tends towards experimentalism in many of the tracks, this makes it a more challenging listen than other albums from TouchXtone. Though there are a few tracks that had me reaching for the skip button there were also some that I wanted to repeat.