Presenting an array of emotive tunes that show how delicate and sensible Mike Paradinas’ way of composing music, which not only emanates positive and rather light approaches in music expression, but makes a statement on how electronic music can be graceful and yet intriguing.
How electronic music can be graceful and yet intriguing
IDM pioneer Mike Paradinas has just released the new album Grush via Planet Mu, presenting an array of emotive tunes that show how delicate and sensible is his way of composing music, which not only emanates positive and rather light approaches in music expression, but makes a statement on how electronic music can be graceful and yet intriguing.
Beginning the journey with the beatless ”Reticulum A,” amongst other cool sound elements, fans can recognize that typical µ-Ziq glissando melody on a beautiful acid timbre synth that teleports you back to the 90s. This should be a fan favorite for sure. Following that same path of beauty in sound, there are tracks such as “Hyper Daddy,” that adds a frenetic breakbeat energy to nice arpeggios, “Fogou,” which keeps a rush element as the stuttering bassline leads on to an endless sense of excitement, and the playful vibe of “Magic Pony Ride Pt.4.”
Delightful hypnotic melodies ::
Rerouting in terms of energy, “Imperial Crescent” brings a more aggressive touch to this part of the record with an up-to-date trap beat that connects the artist to more recent times without losing his signature attributes we all love. Despite its delightful hypnotic melodies, “Reticulum B” follows the energetic flow, now directed to the dancefloors, as it injects a 4×4 beat straight until the end.
Previously released as one of the singles of the album, “Grush” features smooth pads and lovely vocals which echo along with a dubby percussion that could diverge with the hyperactive acid elements on an upper tempo, but carefully weld together on this peculiar piece. “Belvedere” presents a rather odd set of chords—which could resemble Plaid in a way—that, joined by long ethereal synth notes laid upon an intense drill and bass percussion, calls out braindancers around the world for a thrilling experience.
To keep amen break lovers on pleasure mode, “Raver” brings a warm bed of melodic bliss while the drums roll. “Windsor Safari Park,” my second favorite track, starts a bit dark and mysterious on the low end but quickly turns out delightful, which shows Mike’s talent on evoking emotions and playing with them like a wizard. Beauty continues with “Hastings,” a laidback breakbeat for chill out moments, followed by “Manscape”—a remix of Meemo Comma’s “Cloudscape” (Loverboy, Planet Mu, 2023)—a slow drum and bass with captivating feminine oriental-like vocals, catchy “Metaphonk,” which is happy but frugal, in a way that only Mike can do. The melodically rich and mesmerizing “Reticulum C” closes the release on a high note.
Mike Paradinas photo credit: Tyrone Williams
Grush is available on Planet Mu. [Bandcamp | Site]
