By the time each passage opens its pinnacle envelope, we are listening to a letter of pure dexterity as we feel every note like a stream of open consciousness.
Delicate and contemplative in setting
Planet Mu owner and electronic mainstay Mike Paradinas returns again this year as µ-Ziq, along with past label signing Hannah Davidson (aka Mrs Jynx) in this highly collaborative melodic endeavor Secret Garden. Created over the course of ten days of online back and forth, the pair produced a bonding portrayal of personal moments. Throughout we connect with collective emotions that are painted in loss, grief and acceptance; beautifully illustrated in these eurhythmic and grounded introspections.
Secret Garden is a showcase as the press release mentions, “…a melodic exploration that is so often missed in this genre“—which I wholeheartedly agree with. Drums and percussion are present, along with bass lines and such—it is the focus on constructing overlapping and blending lead patterns that is the real attraction to this album. Often delicate and contemplative in setting, by the time each passage opens its pinnacle envelope, we are listening to a letter of pure dexterity as we feel every note like a stream of open consciousness.
A welcome back to Mrs Jynx since her last release Jynx’s Garden (Recycled Plastics, 2017). Those familiar with Hannah’s previous work will feel right at home with her tuneful approach to melodic synthesis. Combining these stylings with Mike’s playful production sense, most recently demonstrated on a handful of tracks from Scurlage (Analogical Force, 2021)—and you have a very natural pairing that compliment one another even the finest sommelier would never second guess.
Personal selections will be tough on this album. Having listened several times (especially in short succession), I find tracks catch me differently on each listen. Whilst I have already crowned my album of the year to Space Afrika last month, Secret Garden, touched me unexpectedly more-so than anything else I have heard during 2021. Best enjoyed in full!
Secret Garden is a Planet Mu November 19, 2021. [Bandcamp | Website]
For those interested in further µ-Ziq updates, Mike recently did a broadcast on Instagram live previewing the test pressings for the forthcoming LP Magic Pony Ride. Very much in the vein of Lunatic Harness with some extra oomph—keep those eyes/ears peeled for around May 2022.
