The First of the Microbe Hunters is the fifth EP by English-French rock band Stereolab. It was released on 16 May 2000 in the United Kingdom by Duophonic Records and in the United States by Elektra Records. Its title makes reference to the book Microbe Hunters by Paul de Kruif, in which the first chapter is dedicated to Dutch scientist Anton van Leeuwenhoek, named "the first of the microbe hunters". Its tracks were re-released in the band's 2021 compilation Electrically Possessed. Reception The First of the Microbe Hunters was met with mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 59, based on eight reviews. Track listing Personnel Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes. Stereolab Stereolab – all instruments, mixing Lætitia Sadier Tim Gane Mary Hansen Simon Johns Morgane Lhote Andy Ramsay Fulton Dingley – recording, mixing House – sleeve design John McEntire – recording and mixing (track 5) Sean O'Hagan – additional instruments Notes References 2000 albums Stereolab EPs