Top image: Photo courtesy of Saturn Strip, Ltd

Sacred Bones Records have got something very special for us all: a lost album from the late, great Alan Vega. Titled Mutator, the record is the first in a wealth of unreleased material that came to be known as the Vega Vault.

Recorded by Vega’s longtime collaborator and wife Liz Lamere during sessions in New York City between 95-96, Lamere unearthed the work only last year (three years after Vega passed away) alongside Jared Artaud (The Vacant Lots). Having discovered the holy grail, the duo soon mixed and produced the songs, dusting away the cobwebs to allow another incendiary glimpse of Vega’s genius.

The first offering from the record, Nike Soldier, is pure slice of Vega, dragged along by signature Suicide beats and sinister tones. Speaking about the track, Artaud says, “Working on this album, I was blown away by the sheer intensity and raw power of Alan’s ability to transform sound and deliver inimitable one-take vocal performances. Nike Soldier is a supreme example of Alan’s unparalleled instincts.”

Lamere added, “In all of his artistic expressions Alan had a unique ability to pull from an eclectic mix of cultural references and turn them on their head.  If we asked him to to give us a quote about Nike Soldier he’d say “Do it Just”.”

Listen to Nike Soldier below.

Alan Vega Mutator is out 24th April via Sacred Bones Records.