Locust – Natural Composite

Nice release I just recently discovered having been a huge fan of the utterly brilliant electronic odyssey Weathered Well.
This release is a little less coherent but thats because its more of a compilation of old and new material dating back to the 1980s. The music is still dark with alot of analog synths and sampling taking the percussion avenue without coming across as stale 90s techno. Its deep, dark and luscious electronic music thats a cut above.
I cannot believe he went the synth pop vocal route on later releases which I recommend anyone avoid esp after listening to Natural Composite and Weathered Well why would you!

_Natural Composite_, Mark Van Hoen’s second album as Locust shares many of the qualities as his first: the darker edge, the ambience, the textures. Indeed, one could draw some comparisons to Aphex Twin’s _Selected Ambient Works, Vol. 2_ from the swirl and feel of “Pillar.” The siren-like tone that lingers behind “Good God” seems to belie the blasphemous little sample running through the track. The tonal “Fruit Molecules” hangs in the air like a mysterious odor. The titles, at times, seem at odds with conjured sounds: “Air Primary” is more of a whirlwind, while “Air Secondary (Battery)” jitters like an unstable molecule; “It Is Called Peace” doesn’t seem to be peaceful whatsoever with its metallic twitch and thrumming rhythm. At other times, tracks, such as the long and droning “Needle,” don’t develop fully. Not as accomplished as his debut, but still absorbing.