Duntisbourne Abbots Soulmate Devastation Technique
µ-Ziq's place in musical history is secure. As a key innovator who to brought electronic music to a wider audience in the nineties, the group, a moniker for Planet Mu founder and head Mike Paradinas, pushed boundaries and rattled heads with a consistent stream of releases, each exploring some new realm of consciousness. It's been four years since the whirlwind of chaos that was Bilious Paths, and Paradinas' new album a more reflective body of work that is no less as revelatory. More introspective and melancholic, µ-Ziq revisits his roots in the early 90s ambient techno scene pioneered by, among others, The Black Dog, Aphex Twin and himself. Amongst these 17 tracks of off-key melodies, nauseous harmonies and woozy beats can be found gems such as the beautiful "Strawberry Fields Hotel" in which a lone bassline strikes out a refrain of unexpected simplicity while bees swarm overhead around a fig tree. And "Drum Light" where a five part melody gives way to a startling noise assault. "Acid Steak Night", a collaboration with labelmate The Doubtful Guest, is a more straightforward techno number with 303 basslines warring it out with spooky melodic synth lines. A melodic tour de force, and a welcome return to one of the most vital artists in music today.