MICK CHILLAGE
Mirrors (Neotantra)
The Dublin-based Mick Chillage – who is also one half of electronica duo Autumn of Communion – swings back to beatless on his solo album Mirrors, a collection of mostly harmonic electronic pieces that are finely sculptured and deeply felt, painted on a fairly minimalist canvas. The haunting “Digitalis Solaris” is like an interlude from the score to one of the more introspective Japanese sci-fi anime. His love of early ambient techno and IDM pads is evident on “Early Rise”, which echoes the quietest of Aphex Twin’s early works with its slow motion harmonies and a striking Zen-like stillness. Two other, longer pieces “Torn” and “Promise of Stars” begin in a similar style but take on more epic proportions, building and layering long arcs of organ-like synths and lush choral textures. As an introduction to the deeper side of Mick’s work, Mirrors will do very nicely, especially if paired with his landscaped masterpiece Saudade (2014).
Best Albums of 2020 Reviews Index
