Description
#µ-ziq #vinyl #vinylrecords
After a prolific streak of albums that ushered in the 2020s and rekindled the signature µ-Ziq sound, Planet Mu label boss Mike Paradinas embarks on his latest adventure with the album “Grush.” While “Magic Pony Ride” and “1977” delved into bubblegum synth textures and melodic ambience, “Grush” revisits his iconic breaks and drums, creating a seamless blend of his musical eras into a vibrant, exhilarating record.
“Grush” is a rhythmic tour de force, much like its rainbow oil spill artwork and quirky digital collage music videos. The album showcases an intense variety of sounds and styles, juxtaposing bubbly sci-fi chirps with hardcore beats. Paradinas blends darker, underground dance styles, characterized by throbbing basslines and vigorous four-to-the-floor rhythms, with more outgoing, club-friendly hues.
The album opens with “Reticulum A,” setting an electrifying tone with smoke machines, gliding notes, and pulsing lasers. “Hyper Daddy” follows, featuring ricocheting drums, booming lows, and icy, crystalline keys. These tough rhythms are infused with bright melodies, a hallmark of Paradinas’s best work. Tracks like “Fogou” and the title track incorporate familiar vocal synths and steely footwork-adjacent beats, creating a vibrant, dynamic soundscape.
“Magic Pony Ride, Pt. 4” picks up where its predecessor left off, blending twinkling harps and acid synths over a bursting breakbeat flow. “Imperial Crescent” is a synthwave inferno, while “Belvedere” simmers with percussive synths and searing drums. “Raver” turns up the heat with wild synths and marimba-like keys, showcasing Paradinas’s ability to fuse diverse elements into cohesive, thrilling tracks.
The final leg of the album features some of its most drum-heavy tracks. “Hastings” offers a boom bap-inspired showcase of percussive breaks amid detuned ambience. “Manscape” builds with elastic drum and bass, sharp metallic plucks, and awe-inspiring vocal samples, striking a balance between reverence and rave chaos. “Metaphonk” closes the album with a playful, anthemic combination of reggaeton rhythms and trance synths.
Since returning to the µ-Ziq moniker in 2021, Mike Paradinas has consistently modernized his sound, and “Grush” stands out as his most exciting release yet. Paradinas’s ability to innovate while staying true to his roots places him alongside other influential electronic artists like Aphex Twin and Squarepusher.
“Grush” by µ-Ziq is a testament to Mike Paradinas’s enduring creativity and technical prowess. The album’s blend of energetic breaks, melodic ambience, and diverse influences offers a refreshing update to his signature sound. As Paradinas continues to push the boundaries of electronic music, “Grush” solidifies his position as a leading figure in the genre.
