use strict;
use warnings;
use XML::Simple ;

my @doc = { a => 'a', b => 'b' } ;
my $xs = new XML::Simple(RootName => 'something_else');

print $xs->XMLout({record => \@doc},
             noattr => 1,
             xmldecl => '<?xml version="1.0">');

##</code><code>##

<?xml version="1.0">
<something_else>
  <record>
    <a>a</a>
    <b>b</b>
  </record>
</something_else>