Le Voyage

A fractured journey in rhythm and noise. Le Voyage traces the disorienting experience of long-distance animal transport – the most overlooked chapter of the global exploitation system, yet responsible for immense suffering. Built from decades of covert recordings, it captures the sonic confusion of animals in motion, stripped of stability and moved across borders for profit.

Some of the earliest sounds in Le Voyage were recorded as far back as 1988, with further material from 2002, 2006, and across the 2010s and 2020s. You hear the bleats of sheep inside European transport trucks, handlers shouting, the low drone of fans, and the deep rumble of engines on sea and land.

But this track is not only about the animals. It is also about those who bear witness. The despair of an undercover investigator as a lorry door opens to reveal a truckload of dead sheep. Voices of protest. Campaigners holding the line. A fleeting broadcast of the Australian Prime Minister responding to one of our investigations. And, briefly, the voice of Joanna Lumley lending her support to the campaign to end live exports. Together, these protests, campaigns, and investigations led to real change including the UK’s landmark decision to ban live animal exports in 2025, and Australia’s commitment to end live sheep exports by 2028.

Musically, this is one of the album’s most recognisable structures. Driven by steady, percussive rhythms and layered with ambient transport textures, Le Voyage draws inspiration from motorik and early electronic music to evoke dislocation and relentless movement.

Field recordings were made by Tracks Investigations in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Egypt, Australia and Indonesia.

More than two billion animals endure long-distance transport every year.