Locust – Morning Light

A cult classic from the trip-hop era, Morning Light by Locust aka Mark Van Hoen is the techno producer’s rare foray into song-based forms with help from a cast of vocalists and writers including Neil Halstead (Slowdive), Zoe Niblet, Craig Bethell, Annie Williams, Mel Skye, and Wendy Roberts. Described in one review as a cross between Massive Attack and This Mortal Coll, the album strikes a perfect blend between seemingly disparate elements: samples, tape loops, Mellotron, trumpet, broken IDM beats, cello, and more. While much different than his more club and chill-out room works for Apollo, Morning Light retains Hoen’s deep sense of space and atmosphere with electronic sound, with elements weaving intricately around each singer’s voice and the song itself. One track even features Virginia Astley on flute! Hoen: “I’m fascinated with chart music being influenced by the avant garde, and mums being into records that sound like a Stockhausen composition. I remember ‘Ghosts’ by Japan got to number two when I was a kid. Everyone was whistling it in the streets, but really if you listen to it the music is insane, a collection of bleeps and noises.”

Recommended – Full Listen