New Boards of Canada Release: Clues, Theories and Expectations

Mysterious VHS tapes delivered to a select group of music fans have sparked speculation regarding a new release from the Scottish electronic duo Boards of Canada. The tapes were sent through distribution channels linked to the duo’s label, Warp Records, and its retail arm, Bleep.

According to reports from fans, the tapes arrived from an address used by Warp and Bleep for shipping within the United States. The content of the tapes consists of decaying analogue visuals, shortwave-style audio and fragments of vocal samples.

Symbolism and Speculation

The VHS tapes are emblazoned with a design featuring seven hexagons. This branding is considered significant by observers because the duo, consisting of brothers Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin, has a long-standing association with the hexagon symbol. A new studio album would be the seventh for the group.

Some fans have identified manipulated samples on the tapes that resemble material from the duo’s Societas x Tape, which was recorded to air on NTS in 2019. While many believe these tapes herald a new project, other spectators suggest the duo may be preparing an archival reissue campaign.

History of Cryptic Releases

The current mystery follows a pattern of unconventional pre-release campaigns used by Boards of Canada in the past. Their last album, Tomorrow’s Harvest, was released in 2013 and was preceded by an augmented reality game. This campaign involved six numeric codes released throughout April and May 2013, which fans had to assemble and enter into the band’s website to receive a pre-order link.

The duo has also utilized total secrecy for previous launches. Their second album, Geogaddi, appeared on release schedules in early 2002 without any prior announcement or the distribution of pre-release copies before its February 2002 launch.

Current Status

Warp Records has not provided a comment on the current speculation. However, in April 2023, Bleep stated, we don’t know when the new BoC album is coming.

The duo’s music was most recently featured in the label’s WXAXRXP Sessions 10xLP box set in 2019. Because Tomorrow’s Harvest appeared over a decade ago, a new release has been widely anticipated by the music community.