For the mostly instrumental album, Electrelane once again returned to Steve Albini's studio in Chicago.

In the first recording session for Axes, the band played through the entire album in one take.

Emma Gaze explained the album was recorded "the way we rehearse and practise: we all stand in a circle and it is very relaxed.

But we just wanted it to sound more live; there is a different kind of energy that comes from playing in the same room.

"[11] Verity Susman said that "We see the record as a continuous piece of music, not a collection of songs.