Techno that's angry but colourful.
Mark Van Hoen is pissed off about something. Historically, the ex-Seefeel member's Locust project has been his outlet for wistful downtempo music. But on the first instalment in a trio of EPs for the Seattle label Medical Records, Locust is a vehicle for snarling techno. Red marks something of a rebirth (there's even a new logo designed by Paul Nicholson, who also designed Aphex Twin's early visual identity), but Locust's signature vocals and powerful melodies bleed through, as distorted kick drums are cushioned by a strong sense of tunefulness.
The best track is "Fuck These Days," which pairs a vulgar vocal with Tommy Four Seven-style barbed-wire drums and a wonky chord progression. The uncanny vocals on "Sick Bitch" only add to the delirium, but they also provide something else to focus on. Though it's heavy, Van Hoen's style of pulverizing techno never feels claustrophobic. The vocal on "Kiss" is buried, so your attention goes to the repetitive riff and prickly textures instead. Those textures come to the forefront on "Fear," a slightly swung track with basslines that recall the more aggressive end of bloghouse. Van Hoen might be angry, but on Red he expresses anger through colour.
The best track is "Fuck These Days," which pairs a vulgar vocal with Tommy Four Seven-style barbed-wire drums and a wonky chord progression. The uncanny vocals on "Sick Bitch" only add to the delirium, but they also provide something else to focus on. Though it's heavy, Van Hoen's style of pulverizing techno never feels claustrophobic. The vocal on "Kiss" is buried, so your attention goes to the repetitive riff and prickly textures instead. Those textures come to the forefront on "Fear," a slightly swung track with basslines that recall the more aggressive end of bloghouse. Van Hoen might be angry, but on Red he expresses anger through colour.
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Published /
Fri / 8 Feb 2019 -
Words /
Andrew Ryce -
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Tracklist /
01. Fuck These Days
02. Kiss
03. Sick Bitch
04. Fear
