Royal Astronomy

“The Fear”—the lead single from Mu-Ziq’s 1999 album *Royal Astronomy*—was something of a bait-and-switch for the notoriously ornery British techno artist. It was by far the most pop-oriented song Mu-Ziq (a.k.a. Mike Paradinas) had written. Pretty and melodramatic, it revolves around a straightforward vocal part by Japanese singer Kazumi, and nothing else on the album resembles it. The dominant influence here is soundtrack music, as Paradinas uses his arsenal of keyboards and other electronic equipment to simulate the undulations of a symphony orchestra. “Scaling,” “Slice,” and “Gruber’s Mandolin” are majestic, with an underlying sense of dread. The atmosphere’s cooler than it was on the gorgeous *Lunatic Harness*. *Royal Astronomy* is an album of steely grays and astronomical blues. Paradinas still lets loose a few down-and-dirty drum and bass workouts in the form of “The Motorbike Track” and “Burst Your Arm,” but “The Hwicci Song” and “56” show that hip-hop was exerting an influence equal to techno. Kazumi returns for the grand finale: a darkly cascading but ultimately reassuring piece titled “Goodbye, Goodbye.”

After the drum'n'bass updates on his previous full-length, Royal Astronomy in large part returns Mike Paradinas to the green pastures of his youth -- electro-slanted melodic techno and post-rave ambience with an eye on classics of his early career like Tango 'N Vectif. From the cinematic opener "Scaling" and the simple melodies of the single "The Fear" (with vocals by a Japanese-born, British-based author named Kazumi), Paradinas keeps it simple throughout. Indeed, the pendulum bass and synth-strings on "Gruber's Mandolin" could have been taken stock-and-barrel from either of his first two Rephlex albums. Still, there are breakbeats all over this record -- and on two of the best tracks, the gorgeous production titled "Carpet Muncher" and "Autumn Acid," a song slightly reminiscent of Aphex Twin's "Windowlicker."