Belgian producer Analept has just released his latest album, Montage, on EC Underground, which has drawn comparisons with the work of Autechre, Biosphere, and even Aphex Twin.
Drawing inspiration from the electronic music scene of the mid-90s, the album ‘solidifies his reputation as an underground niche prodigy’, according to a press release, and has been released both digitally and on vinyl.
To coincide with the album’s release, 909originals caught up with Analept.
For those that are unfamiliar with Analept, how would you describe your music?
Well, I think my music doesn’t fit neatly into any electronic subgenre, which is why I prefer to use the general term ‘electronic music’. I make sure that my music isn’t too difficult for someone who isn’t into ‘IDM or experimental music’ by incorporating melodies and regular rhythms.
If you listen carefully, you will discover a lot of details in the production, but at the same time, you can simply enjoy the music as it is. More precisely, you can expect lots of arpeggiated melodies, discrete strings, atmospheric sounds, and complex, noisy drums.
There are definite nods to Warp and Rephlex artists with your sound.. How much of an influence is that 90s IDM ethos on your music?
I was a teenager in the mid-90s and started DJing jungle-drum & bass with friends. We collected EP vinyl records and, by extension, all this crazy IDM stuff from Skam Records, Worm Interface, Schematic, Toytronic.
These brilliant tracks astonished us – and still do – with their emotive and experimental music. At that time, there were a lot of great record stores in Belgium. It was an incredible time for a music lover to grow up!
Was there a particular track or album that made you want to start making electronic music?
Without hesitation: Cichli by Autechre, on their fourth album. It was the first time I had heard music like that. That track has so many interesting sounds that, when built together, create an incredible beat that is so trippy to listen to.
The most incredible thing is that I heard this song for the first time on one of the Belgian national public FM radio stations! I doubt that today you would hear such a thing in mainstream media.
Before that, I was more of an alternative rock fan with bands like Sonic Youth and Smog, but this song changed everything: I started making music right after.
You’ve been making music for more than a decade. How would you say your sound has evolved from earlier works such as Sequence and Sternweite?
With Montage as my fourth album and two EPs under my belt, I would say my sound has mellowed quite a bit over the years. When I listen back to my early works, I find my sound was harder and more experimental; now, it has become more musical, I think.
Why the name Montage? Does it have a deeper significance in the context of the album?
I appreciate that, similar to the title of a previous album, Sequence, the word Montage has the same meaning in both French and English. This can relate not only to sounds but also to filmmaking or photography, areas I am passionate about, especially classic movies.
While Sternweite – which means stellar distance or parsec in German – focused on space and B-movies, Montage was conceived as the soundtrack for an unwritten detective story.
The tracks on Montage are titled like chapters in a book. Is that intentional – that there’s a storyline there? What emotions or themes did you want to convey through this album?
There is definitely a storyline behind these songs, and I have my own interpretation of it. However, listeners can imagine their own.
The general inspiration was clearly drawn from 1950s detective films featuring archetypal characters. You know those scenes where the anti-hero listens to jazz at home? Well, in my vision, he listens to vintage electronic music!
In a world dominated by streaming, is it personally important for you to release Montage on vinyl?
I’m still very attached to physical releases. With streaming music, I might listen to a track several times but then never return to it. In contrast, I still enjoy music that I bought 25 years ago.
I even listen to my old collection of MiniDiscs that I recorded before everything was available for download on the internet! So, releasing my music on vinyl feels like a significant accomplishment to me. However, I also appreciate that you can create a collection of virtual records in the Bandcamp app.
What pieces of equipment/plugins are essential to the Analept sound?
Well, I have experienced all possible configurations. I started making music on a computer using very basic two-track software, sampling from a friend’s extensive collection of jazz-funk-Latin records. I created hundreds of tracks this way.
Sometimes, I still come across tracks recorded on cassette or MiniDisc and wonder if I really made them! My first release was produced with an early version of Reason, which is likely why I later turned to hardware—I just wanted to experience those incredible machinedrums and synthesisers in real life.
Consequently, my second release was made without a computer, using only a Nord Lead 1 and Elektron Machinedrum and Monomachine.
My third album, Sternweite, featured sounds sourced from an iPad and reprocessed through an Octatrack sampler – another Elektron device.
Since Dendrites, my previous EP, my setup has included a modular synth and the Arturia software suite to complete my equipment list. I now mix all these instruments using the Octatrack as the essential controller for my modular synthesiser.
With this hybrid setup, I’ve learned that I need to record a lot because I often get lost in the myriad combinations of patterns at different tempos, or when using incorrect kit sounds or making other changes. There are so many possibilities.
What role does the underground electronic scene in Belgium play in shaping your sound and approach to music?
I was active in the electronic music scene during the first two decades of the 2000s, when playing gigs and connecting with other electronic artists was both common and straightforward.
These days, it seems more challenging to find underground venues for electronic music. However, there are still passionate and active collectives in cities other than my own, organising events and great labels like Xtraplex Records, which released my previous album. I am eager to reconnect with local artists, which is why I am collaborating with other musicians to create our own collective.
What’s next for you after the release of Montage?
I have several pending projects and I just wish I had enough time to finish them all. I’ve recently recorded some songs with a talented multi-instrumentalist and we’re planning to reform my band, Slow, Draft & Metric.
Additionally, I’m working on editing several hours of recordings from an experimental band to turn them into full tracks. Of course, there are also some shows to perform and new Analept music to release! It’s all very exciting work that will keep me busy for a while.
Analept – Montage is out now, and can be downloaded/purchased here.
Check out the top tracks that the 909originals team has recently discovered through Musosoup here. To feature your music on 909originals, click here. 🙂
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