Psych supergroups are kind of thin on the ground although there are plenty of examples of collaborative efforts out there. Mien do truly seem to fit the description of supergroup though, featuring members from bands such as Black Angels, The Elephant Stone, The Earlies, and Golden Dawn Arkestra. This pedigree serves to create music which is truly an innovative and creative peak in all their musical histories combined. Forgot those hoary old rock pretensions of the original supergroups though. This is fresh, pulsating, and instantly addictive.
‘Evil People’, the opening track on this second release from the band threatens to be some sort of XTRMNTR era Primal Scream outcast but instead it turns its song title on its head for a gloriously rapturous opener. This continues on ‘Counterbalance’, which wouldn’t have sounded out of place on a Factory Records release.
‘Silent Golden’ is more subdued until a burst of energy unleashes a squall of noise hitting lift off into space. Ecstasy reigns as the dance floor ignores. This is elegiac dance music, informed by a resolute psych undertone. ‘Mirror’, on the other hand, sounds like some lost lost track from an 80’s synth pop act. It’s a tremendous treat for the ears, truth be told.
Indeed, the cold synth sounds of that decade are all over this album, with ‘How Could You Run’ providing some nervous Cold War tension in its slow build. ‘Empty Sun’ clatters in on abundant nervous energy which could be found in the very early releases of Human League, whilst ‘Tungsten’ aims for the highs of Georgio Moroder through a BladeRunner veil.
The synth sounds of that hitherto named film are all over the submerged soundscape of ‘Knocking On Your Door’ before veering towards the experimental with ‘Slipping Away’ which shuffles along with some intricate beats leading the way. It can’t remain like this though, and ‘Morning Echo’ brings a revitalised hope and joy. A great end to an album which is more than the sum of its very good and creative parts. Super, indeed.
