Locust announce 'Spectral+' - listen to "Soul Sky" feat. Griff Spex

Locust, the project of iconic English electronic musician Mark Van Hoen, is excited to share announce his new album, Spectral, arriving September 11, 2026, via TODO Records. Spectral is an eclectic, uniquely slanted collection that draws on classic influences including Giorgio Moroder, Brian Eno, My Bloody Valentine, and Boards of Canada as jumping-off points into fresh territory, with a cast of vocalists including Olive Kimoto, Natasha Morrow, Nick Holton of Black Hearted Brother, and Griff Spex, whose industrial electronic edge brings an unexpected and thrilling dimension to the record. An official music video premieres for the track today - watch here.

A preview of the highly anticipated record arrives today in the form of “Soul Sky,” which features Queens rapper Griff Spex and vocalist Olive Kimoto. Droning sirens clash with an energetic flow, underlined by metallic synths and an insistent heartbeat. Instantly catchy, the track is filled with clusters of backbeats and shows off a new side of Locust’s sound.

Speaking about the new song, Mark shares, “Griff contacted me because he was a fan of my earlier (pre-’Morning Light’) Locust material. So I decided to make a track using the sonic makeup of those records. I used a couple of the same synths that I’ve still got since the early 90’s. The beat was made on the sampler I used on my album ‘Truth Is Born of Arguments’ (1995). It was my first time working directly with a rapper, I’m very happy it was Griff!”

Griff Spex shares, “The core of the lyrics is about the process of detaching from overgrown situations, whether it be in a romantic relationship or a relationship with yourself. Seeing the place where you might be caught up in overabundance, but innately knowing the silver lining of life experience is that there’s something more in a new direction, and that feeling is propelling you to move forward. This song is a catalyst for a new door, ‘only a moment to level it up.’”

• LISTEN TO “SOUL SKY”
• WATCH "SOUL SKY"

Last month, Locust shared “Long Distance Lover.” The song featured Slowdive’s Neil Halsted on guitar and vocals from Irish musician Natasha Morrow. A collaboration that came together over the past few years, pulsating synths outline drawn-out lyrics that emit a desire for intimacy and connection despite physical distance. Riffs are meticulously draped over each sound, making for a poignant moment. An official music video arrived alongside the track, capturing the well of emotional desire that fills a long-distance relationship as silhouettes dip in and out of frame.

WATCH “LONG DISTANCE LOVER”

Today’s announcement follows significant anticipation from devotees of the iconic project since Van Hoen assembled a new live configuration, featuring musician and NTS Radio DJ Olive Kimoto on lead vocals with whom he has been premiering new material across select U.S. dates since September—including headliningPerfectly Imperfect’s Elsewhere takeover, And Always Forever Festival, and Flower Moon Festival—marking their first live performances since supporting Massive Attack in the 90s.

In recent years, the project has cultivated a formidable cult following. The audiences comprise not only those who remember his tours with Autechre and Aphex Twin, but a burgeoning younger generation discovering Locust via the trip-hop revival, social media visibility, and a new wave of cloud rap artists sampling his foundational work. On September 11, Locust will appear live at 2220 Arts Archives in Los Angeles, CA, to celebrate the release of Spectral. For more information on upcoming performances, see below and follow Locust on Instagram at @locust_mvh.