Vince Clarke has packed an awful lot into the last 40-odd years, but he's about to step into unknown territory with the release of 'Songs Of Silence', his debut solo album. And rather than the synthpop earworms he's best known for, this is something quite different but every bit as special. In fact, these expansive soundscapes are some of the most beautiful tracks he has ever recorded. Clarke discusses the album at length in our in-depth cover story, as well as reflecting on the many high points of his amazing career, going right the way back to his pre-Depeche Mode days in Basildon. It's a riveting read from start to finish. 

We've a bumper selection of other superb interviews for you to enjoy this month, including Belbury Poly, AR Kane, Dot Allison, Das Koolies, Delmer Darion, Frankie Rose and Beverly Glenn-Copeland. We also have the lowdown on ‘The NID Tapes’, a fascinating collection of early Indian electronic music, the material recorded at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad between 1969 and 1972, while Ghost Box Records co-owner and sleeve designer Julian House talks through some of his artwork for the label over the last two decades. All of which adds up to another issue full of good stuff! 

We have an exclusive Vince Clarke seven-inch to accompany the new Electronic Sound too. Pressed on clear vinyl, the A-side is 'The Lamentations Of Jeremiah', one of the highlights of Clarke's 'Songs Of Silence' album. Like every track on the record, it's based on only one note, maintaining a single key throughout, and all the sounds are generated from Vince’s impressive Eurorack system. Turn the single over for 'The Cave', which doesn't appear on the album and isn't currently available elsewhere. Dark and dreamlike, with ghostly echoes swirling ominously, it's reminiscent of the Berlin School of electronics, particularly the work of Klaus Schulze.