Limited Edition 140g Black Vinyl LP, Full-color Jacket & Poly-lined inner sleeve, with original photography and artwork by Grant Aaron and Gabriel Benzur


For nearly 40 years, English producer Mark Van Hoen has been making challenging music that eludes easy categorization under his own name, as Locust, and in the groups Autocreation, Scala, and Drøne. While his output has skirted around the fringes of IDM, techno, trip-hop, ambient, drone, and electropop, it has mutated these genres' elements in distinctive ways, revealing a mind always questing for unprecedented sounds.

This is Mark Van Hoen’s ninth album as Locust, and an instant classic.

Drifting, hanging, holding. Hoping, seeking, searching. And then finding.

Mark Van Hoen's ninth album as Locust is a cosmic whisper, a tender touch, where candid songwriting commingles with the afterimage of trip-hop and jungle. Across eight tracks, spectral melodies dance between languid breakbeats, and a formless murmur drifts through the ether, seeking a common thread.

Layered in strata, "The First Cause" reveals itself anew with each listen. Delicate tones share space with bass weight. Drums crunch, and rhythms cascade. Voices loop and intone, bodiless. What at first seems melancholy, you may later find reoriented—toward promise.

We seek solace in each other, and we seek solace in sound. Kinship isn't easy to come by. When a record offers its kind embrace to us as this one does, without reservation, we should take heed.

Written, performed and produced by Mark Van Hoen
© Touch Music/Fairwood Music UK Ltd
2023 Mark Van Hoen under exclusive license to Mysteries of the Deep
markvanhoen.com

Mastered by Rafael Anton Irisarri at Black Knoll Studio, NY
Photography by Grant Aaron
Design by Gabriel Benzur
Words by Chris Zaldua

Pressed by: AFG Record Manufacturing More

After a recent, acclaimed EP on Madrid’s Analogical Force label, Suction Records is thrilled to announce “Grey With Breaks,” the 8th full-length album by Lowfish. The electro veteran, who’s been programming 808s since the early ‘90s, returns to Suction Records, the label he co-founded and debuted on in 1997. “Grey With Breaks” is an electro record, with thick analog basslines and TR-808 boom tschak front & centre, but Lowfish’s electro-style stands out from the pack. Not only is the LP devoid of the Drexciya/Dopplereffekt worship that permeates the scene these days, it also rarely hits above 110bpm, oozing with melancholic melody. More

Glitch in the Colors” is the debut full-length vinyl release by Useless Idea, aka Italian artist and producer, Cesare Bignotti. Useless Idea debuted on Suction Records in 2021, with a limited-to-300 12-inch sampler (alongside Bignotti’s alter-ego Seven Nights Alone), which Bleep.com named as their “EP of the Week” upon release, writing “Useless Idea’s widescreen array of hazy synthesized atmospheres, intricate samples and processed recordings … conjure thoughts of a fictional past in another dimension.”

With previous under-the-radar cassette album releases on WéMè Records (2018’s “Acid Hologram”) and EVES Music (2020’s “Xa Peh”), Useless Idea has been quietly recording his own brand of inventive, playful, and melodic IDM/braindance for more than 20 years. We’ve been slowly compiling Glitch in the Colors for several years now, and the result is a varied, yet cohesive, collection of instrumental electronic beat-scapes recorded over the span of 13 years, with influences ranging from the classic braindance sound of Aphex Twin and Cylob, to the hazy hip-hop electronica of Boards Of Canada, but with a depth of programming and sound design that is all his own. From the melancholy, orchestral hip hop of the title track, to the videogame symphonics of “Yster Know”, to the delicate piano-house reductionism of “Moon Dog”, the scope and variety found on Glitch in the Colors is a revelation.

2x12” vinyl LP is limited to 500 copies, with 100 copies on pink-vinyl, and adorned with the artist’s own original artwork (Bignotti is an accomplished, and highly sought-after, visual artist). Comes with a Bandcamp download card. More

Repress!

2022 marks the 25th anniversary of Suction Records, the Toronto-based electro/IDM label founded in 1997 by two emerging producers, Lowfish (aka Gregory De Rocher) and Solvent (aka Jason Amm), the latter still overseeing the label to this day. The label’s inaugural release was a split Lowfish/Solvent 12”, marking both artists’ debut vinyl appearance.

Gregory and Jason had known each other since high-school, but a deeper friendship was forged during their university years, after Gregory introduced Jason to early Rephlex releases by Aphex Twin and µ-Ziq. Gregory had been making electronic music in his bedroom for more than a decade, but it was those Rephlex releases that ignited Jason’s passion to do the same. After several years of obsessive gear buying, music making, and playing tracks for each other, Lowfish and Solvent had hit their stride, and their demos even attracted the interest of legendary early IDM labels labels Skam (for Lowfish), and Isophlux (for Solvent). But things were slow-moving in those days — letters, faxes, phone calls… nothing was panning out. So that’s when they decided to start their own label, and put out 300 copies of this 12”, suction001.

The label was heavily inspired by contemporary artists like AFX, Autechre, and Panasonic, but on suction001, those influences collided with their ‘80s synth-pop and industrial roots to create something unique. 25 years later, it still sounds fresh, and like nothing else out there. On suction001, 808 drum machines are run through distortion and breakbeats are chopped and mangled, contrasting with melodic OMD-style leads and catchy synth-pop basslines — a sound the label would refer to as ‘distortion pedal new wave.’

Over the past 25 years, Suction’s sound has morphed and evolved, but in recent years has shifted back to it’s original Rephlex-inspired roots. That makes 2022 the perfect year to revisit this wild, 1997 debut, now reissued in a new, expanded edition for it’s 25th anniversary. The reissue adds 2 bonus tracks — a 1999 remix by Detroit electro-punk duo ADULT., along with a previously-unreleased version of Lowfish’s A1 cut, and also features new and improved artwork, including an insert with full label discography.

Limited to 500 copies, and comes with a Bandcamp download card. More

“Passing Signals” is the Suction Records label debut of The Jaffa Kid, aka UK producer Daniel Pringle. Over the past few years, The Jaffa Kid has been building up a strong following amongst braindance/d’n’b/acid heads, with killer releases on labels like 030303, Altered Sense, Utter, and his 2 standout “anonymous” WH03 and WH09 EPs on the Withhold label series.

From the melody-drenched 303 acid of “Olyqu” and “Xom”, to the Bochum Welt-style electro vibes of “Ief” and “Tropet”, it was clearly just a matter of time before The Jaffa Kid appeared on Suction. With these 8 carefully curated tracks, Suction Records delivers 8 tracks of timeless melodic electronics, and surely the most solid The Jaffa Kid release to date, in our books!

Available digitally, and on limited vinyl LP in a reverse board jacket — includes a Bandcamp download card inside. More

Repress!

When we first discovered RX-101’s output on Soundcloud circa 2015, we knew we’d stumbled upon something very special. Five EPs and four albums later, and now a firmly established as a crucial artist in the Aphex/Rephlex/IDM cannon, we at Suction Records are still mining this elusive Dutch producer’s 1997-1999 archive of unreleased live-to-cassette recordings, and we’re not even close to scraping the bottom of the barrel. Suction Records is pleased to announce RX-101’s fifth album, “New Discoveries”.

As the title suggests, “New Discoveries” is not just more of the same — this is a new side of the RX-101 sound. Rather than taking inspiration from braindance heroes like Aphex Twin and Bochum Welt, “New Discoveries” is a reflection of Erik Jong (aka RX-101)’s love for classic Detroit techno - Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Carl Craig, et al. Like some of the UK producers who mined this sound for inspiration, from B12 to Kirk DiGiorgio, the influence of Detroit techno is crystal clear, even if the sound has a distinctly EU/UK flair.

Available digitally, on limited vinyl LP in a reverse-board jacket, or on CD. The CD comes in a reverse-board digipack, adding 2020’s 6-track “Hearts Utd.” EP (including a remix by Brainwalztera) as an exclusive CD bonus. All physical formats include a Bandcamp download card inside. More

When we first discovered RX-101’s output on Soundcloud circa 2015, we knew we’d stumbled upon something very special. Five EPs and four albums later, and now a firmly established as a crucial artist in the Aphex/Rephlex/IDM cannon, we at Suction Records are still mining this elusive Dutch producer’s 1997-1999 archive of unreleased live-to-cassette recordings, and we’re not even close to scraping the bottom of the barrel. Suction Records is pleased to announce RX-101’s fifth album, “New Discoveries”.

As the title suggests, “New Discoveries” is not just more of the same — this is a new side of the RX-101 sound. Rather than taking inspiration from braindance heroes like Aphex Twin and Bochum Welt, “New Discoveries” is a reflection of Erik Jong (aka RX-101)’s love for classic Detroit techno - Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Carl Craig, et al. Like some of the UK producers who mined this sound for inspiration, from B12 to Kirk DiGiorgio, the influence of Detroit techno is crystal clear, even if the sound has a distinctly EU/UK flair.

Available digitally, on limited vinyl LP in a reverse-board jacket, or on CD. The CD comes in a reverse-board digipack, adding 2020’s 6-track “Hearts Utd.” EP (including a remix by Brainwalztera) as an exclusive CD bonus. All physical formats include a Bandcamp download card inside. More

CD Version!

When we first discovered RX-101’s output on Soundcloud circa 2015, we knew we’d stumbled upon something very special. Five EPs and four albums later, and now a firmly established as a crucial artist in the Aphex/Rephlex/IDM cannon, we at Suction Records are still mining this elusive Dutch producer’s 1997-1999 archive of unreleased live-to-cassette recordings, and we’re not even close to scraping the bottom of the barrel. Suction Records is pleased to announce RX-101’s fifth album, “New Discoveries”.

As the title suggests, “New Discoveries” is not just more of the same — this is a new side of the RX-101 sound. Rather than taking inspiration from braindance heroes like Aphex Twin and Bochum Welt, “New Discoveries” is a reflection of Erik Jong (aka RX-101)’s love for classic Detroit techno - Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Carl Craig, et al. Like some of the UK producers who mined this sound for inspiration, from B12 to Kirk DiGiorgio, the influence of Detroit techno is crystal clear, even if the sound has a distinctly EU/UK flair.

Available digitally, on limited vinyl LP in a reverse-board jacket, or on CD. The CD comes in a reverse-board digipack, adding 2020’s 6-track “Hearts Utd.” EP (including a remix by Brainwalztera) as an exclusive CD bonus. All physical formats include a Bandcamp download card inside.

CD Tracklist:

1. Back To Zero
2. Trip to the Unknown
3. t.p.o.s.m.
4. No Access
5. Sys.rx.9.b013
6. The Invention of Ideas
7. Voyage of Discovery
8. Star Tracker
9. Hearts Utd. (Brainwaltzera remix)
10. Core Stage 101
11. Switched Phases
12. 8-a02
13. Aria #
14. RIP-AXL More

It’s been more than a year since our last release on Suction Records, and we’re excited to be back with the introduction of a new artist to the label’s roster. In fact, this split 12” serves as an introduction to both Useless Idea, and Seven Nights Alone, two aliases from the same Italian artist and producer, Cesare Bignotti. The split also serves as a taster for two forthcoming Suction Records full-length LPs, coming soon from both aliases.

Useless Idea, with previous under-the-radar cassette album releases on WéMè Records (2018’s “Acid Hologram”) and EVES Music (2020’s “Xa Peh”), has been quietly recording his own brand of inventive, playful, and melodic IDM/braindance for more than 20 years. We’ve been slowly compiling Useless Idea’s debut vinyl full-length for several years now, and the resulting “Glitch In The Colors” will be released later this year on 2LP vinyl, covering the span of his 20+ years of recording. From “Glitch…” we’ve included standout cut “Mello Tron” alongside two tracks that are exclusive to this split 12”.

Seven Nights Alone is a more recent alias, and outside of 1 track released on a compilation, this marks the new alias’ debut release. There is an undeniable Boards Of Canada influence here, but this is a unique and sophisticated take on BOC’s woozy and melancholy electronica. Both “Soft Where” (a menacing, futuristic instrumental hip hop killer) and “Walkman” (like a BoC “Campfire Headphase” outtake but on an optimistic tip) are taken from Seven Nights Alone’s debut 2LP vinyl full-length “Another Place”, to be released on Suction Records in 2023, alongside a 3rd track that’s exclusive to this split 12”.



Vinyl is limited to 200 copies, and comes with a Bandcamp download card. More

Suction Records is excited to unleash the first in a series of extensive archival releases by a new artist, bedroom producer RX-101. This previously unreleased material dates from 1997 -1999, recorded live to cassette in a feverish burst of creativity, utilizing a small arsenal of classic techno tools inc uding the Roland TR-808, TB-303, Juno-106, and his beloved SH-1 01. What's astonishing about RX-101 is the sheer volume of diverse and stunning material recorded in just 2 years. Fans of Aphex Twin’s Analogue Bubblebath and Caustic Window series will rejoice in the authentic early-90s Rephlex-ian burst of "EP 1.” From the eerie, isolationist-rave stomp of opener “Tunnel,” to the emotive, primitive electronica of “Bloom(pt.1),” through to the majestic, ambient melodicism of closer “If I Could Ever Get...,” the 6 tracks found on “EP 1” serve as an exciting introduction to RX-101’ s treasure-trove of vintage Rephlex-style electronics. More

"Hearts Utd." (suction052) is an addendum to RX-101’s recent 2LP “Serenity”, featuring 5 additional caustic braindance assaults from the archive, alongside a brand new remix of Serenity standout cut “Hearts Utd.” by the mysterious IDM producer Brainwaltzera. More

Suction Records welcomes Roger Semsroth back to the label - having previously released 2 full-length albums with us under his retired electro-pop alias, Skanfrom. “Grøndal” (suction051) is the debut vinyl release under a new alias, Nordvest.

These days, Semsroth is best-known for his stark and minimalist techno project, Sleeparchive. The material on Grøndal - icy, melodic, and mostly beatless - is comprised of tracks that were originally released digitally as Sleeparchive, via Bandcamp. The releases were met with general disinterest from Sleeparchive fans, prompting Semsroth to re-brand them as Nordvest, before removing them from Bandcamp altogether.

We’ve chosen 11 highlights from 3 of those digital albums, “Rooftops & Chaotic Streets”, “Scribbles”, and “Sleepless”, for a cohesive 11-track LP of austere, synthetic ambience. Think Tangerine Dream as reinterpreted by Incunabula-era Autechre, and you might be getting somewhere close. While “Rooftops & Chaotic Streets Seven” recalls Sleeparchive, and “Sleepless Six” could very well be a lost Skanfrom track, the rest of the LP clearly warrants a new alias - Nordvest is a new side of Semsroth that we haven’t heard before. More

RX-101 has quietly been making waves in the IDM/electronic music underground for the past few years, through a series of archival releases — material recorded in the late-90s, but previously unreleased until Suction Records began compiling and releasing these records in 2016. What’s truly mind-boggling about RX-101’s output is the sheer quantity of stunning, top-drawer material that Dutch producer Erik Jong recorded over the period of just 3 years, 1997-1999. Many have suggested that the whole thing is a publicity stunt — some insisting that this is all new material masquerading as vintage, while others have proposed that the material may in fact be a secret alias for Aphex Twin to release gems from his own legendary ’90s audio archive. RX-101 has absolutely nailed the sound, and quality, of early-90s AFX/Rephlex, that much is true. “Serenity,” this latest full-length RX-101 release, is no exception.

Just as RX-101’s last album, 2019’s Dopamine, concentrated on one hallmark of Aphex Twin’s sound — the smooth melodic techno of his Selected Ambient Works 1985-1992 LP — so too does Serenity reference another classic early-Aphex era, but this time it’s a completely different beast. Don't let the title fool you - Suction Records' latest dive into RX-101's 1997-1999 tape archives is not all lush, serene melodies. On Serenity, scorched, crunchy jackhammer beats combine with emotional, plaintive pads, delivering a classic set of vintage-Rephlex-style bliss, à la AFX, Caustic Window, and Cylob. It was Cylob who coined the term Industrial Folk Songs for his classic 1995 LP, and that release is clearly a blueprint for RX-101’s latest collection.

Standout cut Hearts Utd., featuring a stunning music video by Aidan Fantinatto and I Dream Of Wires’ director Robert Fantinatto, not only nails the magic of AFX’s trademark, irresistible jackhammer-beats-meets-plaintive-melody device, it arguably rivals the master at his own sound. As a whole, what could be a harsh and monotonous collection is lifted by RX-101’s subtle diversity and skill, particularly in his ability to create eerie, evocative moods, with gorgeous melodies that speak volumes of emotion.

The album contains 13 songs, available on 2LP vinyl in a thick-spine jacket + insert, CD digipack, or digital.

More

Hailing from Chicago, Beau Wanzer has carved out a singular voice in electronic music since debuting on the L.I.E.S. label in 2013. Wanzer’s music is not industrial, wave, electro, or techno - it’s a unique and twisted amalgamation of all that, and more. Crazy as it sounds, we at Suction Records have been sitting on this Beau Wanzer material since 2003. Back then Beau was working at Weekend Records And Soap — a Chicago hub for the city’s exploding electro scene — when Solvent and Lowfish rolled into town to perform at an Ersatz Audio label showcase. We met Beau at the shop and he gave us a 21-track CDR. We were instant fans, fast friends, and went on to the share the stage with him several times, well before he released his first records. That CDR contains these 6 tracks now released on 10”-vinyl as the “Do The Spider Shimmy” EP. This is suction049. Had that CDR not been held onto, and recently-unearthed by Solvent, this music would have disappeared into digital oblivion; Beau had long forgotten them and didn’t even have a copy of these CDR tracks. Beau Wanzer’s trademark sound — raw, minimal electronics and effected-beyond-recognition vocals — were already in full-effect circa 2003, but what makes this material different from his contemporary output is the dry, drumbox-funk influence of Detroit’s Ersatz Audio label (Le Car, ADULT.), which is also heard loud and clear across the EP. More