Mouse on Mars 'Spezmodia' (MTR038) Out January 10 - Teaser

English original version
Keynote, Nov 13, 2022

Illustration: © Benedikt Rugar Design: NODE Berlin Oslo

Louis Chude-Sokei: At the End of Black Music: Infotech, Biotech, Afrotech

Mouse on Mars "Parastrophics" (MTR022) 
Monkeytown Records CD / 2xLP / Download 
Release dates: 
Feb 24th 
Feb 27th (UK) 
Feb 28th (U.S.)

Over the course of ten albums - not to mention an avalanche of side projects, remixes and collaborations - Jan St Werner and Andi Toma of Mouse On Mars established themselves as two of the most inventive and unpredictable artists in electronic music. But since they delivered the bracing, angular salvo that was Varcharz back in 2006, there has been an uncharacteristic period of silence. 

In 2012, that silence is broken. Mouse On Mars' triumphant return comes in the shape of Parastrophics, a life-affirming and constantly surprising album which is crammed with ideas, exuberance and sheer kinetic energy. It's like listening to the entire history of pop music - distilled, refined and crystallized into a string of compulsive new shapes, full of glitter, intrigue and addictive detail. Atomised fragments from two lifetimes of listening flare and fade, tiny scraps of memory shrapnel hover, tantalizing and insubstantial, before being whisked away by the next impatient idea. 

But despite all that restless curiosity, Parastrophics also demonstrates a peerless command of pace. Whereas some previous Mouse On Mars releases have bordered on the frenetic, their latest displays a subtle but persuasive sense of control. Even when tempos climb, 303s squirm and kick / snare patterns snap to brisk attention, there's an elegance to the way that each element slips in and out of the mix which speaks, 
whisper it, of maturity. Parastrophics is as a playful as ever, but it's never throwaway. The closing track „Seaqz“ is the perfect illustration, a frenetic romp which is perfectly held in check by gracefully undulating melodies; it brings into focus the beguiling sense of confidence that suffuses the whole record. All of which is a roundabout way of saying that, after six years away, Mouse On Mars have come back with their best record yet.

Mouse On Mars - they know your name feat. Dodo Nkishi /// Monkeytown 2012

from the album Fanal (Kai Althoff) - Fanal III, sonig 81LP, 2010

Fanal - Voll Du!

from the Mini-Album DJ Elephant Power ‎– Atlas Anthem (sonig 63), 2008

Dj Elephant Power - Switch Balanced

from the tape Uske Orchestra - Homeotape (sonig 88), 2012
Limited edition of 58 copies. Covers and labels are individually designed by the artist. Only a few copies left.

Uske Orchestra - Gsu-2-Sp-K4

from the album The Allophons - Saddle Bomb (sonig 87CD), 2012
Featuring Natascha Nikeprelevic on vocals & Andi Toma from Mouse on Mars. Video bei Zuckerzeit.

The Allophons - NaNaNaau

HI!
this is a mix of some of my favourite abstract records from people like chas smith, c.m. von hausswolff, sun ra, birdshow, this heat, brian eno, gavin bryars, robin hayward, head of wantastiquet, Elmar Lällabebbl Ensemble, Ralf&Florian, Ken Kamden, The eightfold Model, Bruce Gilbert and others. 

this mix might have disturbing effects when listened to as background music. But I prepared a real good japanese dinner while listening to it last week.

recorded after midnight in a cold berlin january night at home 2011
hope you like it. 

I will record more of these mixes in the near future. 
Best, 
Phillip

Phillip sollmann-UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

Over the course of eleven albums - not to mention an avalanche of side projects, remixes and collaborations - Jan St Werner and Andi Toma of Mouse on Mars established themselves as two of the most inventive and unpredictable artists in electronic music.