The first thing you notice is the colour. Then the flamingo. Then the shine of the sleeve.
L’Avenue’s En Vogue has a strong identity, and its vinyl edition carries that through in transparent magenta, full-colour print and gloss-laminated packaging.
Jesse Reuben Wilson trusted Media Plant to produce this edition of his album. Our job was to give his music and artwork a physical finish he could feel proud to share with his listeners.
Meet L’Avenue
L’Avenue is the 1980s-inspired project of producer and designer Jesse Reuben Wilson. Launched in 2019, it brings together two sides of his creative life: making music and creating the imagery that surrounds it.
His remix work under the L’Avenue name has included Kim Wilde, Nik Kershaw and The Midnight. Alongside the music, Jesse has built a visual identity that extends from album covers to clothing and merchandise.
That design background matters here. The artwork is part of how listeners experience L’Avenue, and the vinyl edition gives it room to be seen, held and explored.
Ten tracks, one unmistakable identity
En Vogue is a ten-track release, with titles including Cover Girl, Electric Eyes, Photo Shoot, Monaco and, fittingly, Flamingo.
Jesse is credited with the album’s artwork as well as writing, performing, producing, mixing and mastering, with collaborators contributing to individual tracks. It is a release with his creative stamp running right through it.
If synthwave, retrowave and 1980s-inspired electronic music are your thing, take a moment to listen to En Vogue on L’Avenue’s Bandcamp page.
A new fan in the office
This project has also left us with a L’Avenue fan in the Media Plant office. For someone already drawn to synthwave and that 1980s aesthetic, it was right up their alley.
Working on a release is a good way to get to know an artist. Sometimes the music stays with you after the job is finished. This has been one of those projects.
Magenta vinyl that catches the light
We pressed the record on 12-inch, 140g vinyl in Transparent Magenta 9344.
Against the dark sleeve artwork, the vinyl has a rich rose-pink appearance. Let the light through it and its translucency becomes more apparent, bringing out a brighter magenta.
The colour connects the record to the pink L’Avenue lettering and flamingo artwork. Displayed together, the sleeve and vinyl look like parts of the same design.
The flamingo at the centre
The flamingo label is a detail worth getting closer to. Pink feathers against a dark background give it a strong focal point, framed by the magenta vinyl and its grooves. It is an image that works particularly well at the centre of a record.
Both sides feature full-colour CMYK centre labels, carrying Jesse’s artwork through to the vinyl itself.
A gloss finish Jesse noticed
The 300gsm outer sleeve, with its 3mm spine, was finished with gloss lamination.
Its reflective surface adds to the presentation of the artwork. Jesse described it rather better than a technical specification could: he said he could see his face in it.
He also told us it was the best sleeve production he had ever received. That is feedback we were especially pleased to hear from an artist who cares so much about design.
Artwork on the inside, too
Inside is a 200gsm printed inner sleeve, supplied without holes and finished with gloss dispersion.
The uninterrupted printed surface gives the inner artwork its own space. Together with the outer sleeve, coloured vinyl and centre labels, it makes opening the release part of the experience.
What was it like to work with us?
For Jesse, the ordering process mattered alongside the finished product.
He highlighted helpful people, quickly delivered test pressings and competitive pricing. He also reported that his finished vinyl arrived a few weeks ahead of the lead time he had been given.
Rather than put more words around it, here is his feedback in full.
In Jesse’s own words
“I was seriously impressed by Media Plant. First of all they beat everyone on price, delivered TPs (test presses) fast and the whole ordering process was super smooth with really nice people to assist.
They gave a reasonable lead time and then the vinyl arrived a few weeks ahead of that! I have to say the sleeve production was the best I’ve ever received. The gloss lam finish was amazing,
I could see my face in it with no fingerprints and all the other parts were very high quality. Without a doubt one of the best vinyl manufacturers around with great service! Highly, highly recommended!”
Jesse Reuben Wilson, L’Avenue
Production specifications and testimonial supplied by Media Plant. Early delivery and pricing comparisons describe Jesse’s experience of this order, rather than general service guarantees.
Jesse also told us he would be back in touch next year for the next one. We would be over the moon to work with him again!
Give En Vogue a listen
The photographs show the record. The music completes the picture.
Head over to L’Avenue’s Bandcamp page to listen to En Vogue and explore the release. If this is your corner of electronic music, you may find a new favourite too.
Your music. Pressed with care.
We are proud to have produced this edition for Jesse. It is his music, his artwork and his identity, carried through a record and packaging made to his specification.
Planning your own release? Talk to Media Plant about coloured vinyl, printed inner sleeves and the finishing options for your artwork.
Your music. Pressed with care. Talk to Media Plant about your next release.
Production specification
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Record | 12-inch, 140g vinyl |
| Vinyl colour | Transparent Magenta 9344 |
| Centre labels | Two full-colour CMYK labels |
| Inner sleeve | 200gsm, printed, without holes |
| Inner sleeve finish | Gloss dispersion |
| Outer sleeve | 300gsm, 3mm spine |
| Outer sleeve finish | Gloss lamination |
| Finish Type | Shrink-wrapped |
