downtempo / post rock / progressive rock
I met Indian one-man project Mixtaped Monk a while ago, while reviewing his cooperation with Cousin Silas (read) and his previous album 'Urban Lonesome' (read). Then I wrote about fairytales and strange forest creatures but also about Plaid and Boards Of Canada.
A few weeks ago, Mixtaped Monk released his fourth album, 'Tales From A Distant Galaxy' . Instead of the forest or the empty parking lot by night, we're now being guided on a journey through space. Yet, this is not so-called "space rock", it's another excellent blend of downtempo electronics and post rock.
As per usual, the album opens with a calm, gentle ambient tune, aptly named 'In A Galaxy Far Away'. Although this track serves mostly as the intro, it slowly drags you into this distant galaxy Mixtaped Monk has created. Soon after, 'Quest For Nebula' takes off, driving on downtempo electronics and showcasing some playful guitars. That playfulness will continue throughout most of the songs. It seems to perfectly blend the precise and rather cold programmed electronics with the organic and ever expanding nature of post rock.
Another highlight is 'Warped Reality' which does great things with elements of shoegaze and post punk. Although it is founded on the same basic principles as the other tracks, this one issues the harshness and piercing guitars of acts like Jesus And The Mary Chain. I like that, and I also like the gloomy 'Before Genesis'. In fact, as an ambient and soundscapes aficionado, this one just might be my favorite here. It's minimal but immersive, everything a good ambient tuned needs to be.
Cousin Silas appears on this album too, namely in the bluesy post rock ballad 'Inside Insanity'. This is the kind of stuff I can intensely enjoy at an event like Dunk! Festival and thus another absolute highlight on this album. Perhaps here, the term "space rock" might be appropriate. But obviously, those are just terms and categorizations. All you really need to know, is that 'Tales From A Distant Galaxy' is another excellent album from Mixtaped Monk, one that shows the continues evolution of a talented artist. So obviously, it comes highly recommended.
Serge
A few weeks ago, Mixtaped Monk released his fourth album, 'Tales From A Distant Galaxy' . Instead of the forest or the empty parking lot by night, we're now being guided on a journey through space. Yet, this is not so-called "space rock", it's another excellent blend of downtempo electronics and post rock.
As per usual, the album opens with a calm, gentle ambient tune, aptly named 'In A Galaxy Far Away'. Although this track serves mostly as the intro, it slowly drags you into this distant galaxy Mixtaped Monk has created. Soon after, 'Quest For Nebula' takes off, driving on downtempo electronics and showcasing some playful guitars. That playfulness will continue throughout most of the songs. It seems to perfectly blend the precise and rather cold programmed electronics with the organic and ever expanding nature of post rock.
Another highlight is 'Warped Reality' which does great things with elements of shoegaze and post punk. Although it is founded on the same basic principles as the other tracks, this one issues the harshness and piercing guitars of acts like Jesus And The Mary Chain. I like that, and I also like the gloomy 'Before Genesis'. In fact, as an ambient and soundscapes aficionado, this one just might be my favorite here. It's minimal but immersive, everything a good ambient tuned needs to be.
Cousin Silas appears on this album too, namely in the bluesy post rock ballad 'Inside Insanity'. This is the kind of stuff I can intensely enjoy at an event like Dunk! Festival and thus another absolute highlight on this album. Perhaps here, the term "space rock" might be appropriate. But obviously, those are just terms and categorizations. All you really need to know, is that 'Tales From A Distant Galaxy' is another excellent album from Mixtaped Monk, one that shows the continues evolution of a talented artist. So obviously, it comes highly recommended.
Serge
