Stalwart British pop act XTC -- currently a duo of principals Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding -- is in the studio working on a new album with the tentative title of "Tunes to Help You Breathe More Easily." According to the group's official Web site, songs already recorded for the project include "My Heart Is a Compass," "Oh My Britannia," "Say It," and "Whispered Hymn."

Meanwhile, Partridge's previously reported collaboration with Apples In Stereo frontman Robert Schneider is on hold until Schneider has "fulfilled his commitments" relating to the Apples' latest album, "Velocity of Sound" (spinART) and a correponding tour. The duo has reportedly written more than 30 songs for the project.

Furthermore, XTC is going ahead with plans to release 12 albums worth of rarities and outtakes under the "Fuzzy Warbles" moniker. Unrelated to the "Coat of Many Cupboards" box set released earlier this year via Caroline, "Fuzzy Warbles" will encompass about 250 tracks culled from the group's entire career, according to the site. Moulding and Partridge are compiling and mastering the first two albums in the series for an October release on their own Idea Records in the U.K. Among the rarities slated for inclusion are "Young Marrieds," "All the Peach Songs," "Wonder Annual," "Art Songs (Something Good With Your Life)," and "I'm the Kaiser."

"Tunes to Help You Breathe More Easily" will be the proper follow-up to 1999's "Apple Venus Vol. 1," which debuted at No. 106 on The Billboard 200, and 2000's "Wasp Star (Apple Venus Vol. 2)," which bowed at No. 108.