Well, Misanthrop’s announced a new album due out shortly so it’s basically pencils down and pay attention until then. Analog, due out on Neosignal on November 8, continues some the sound experiments Misanthrop was playing with in his 2017 EP Blurred but he’s attacking it from a different angle this time. Not only are all the tracks on Analog hand-stitched with no sound samples and mostly analog equipment but each track has its own story.
Neosignal released the first track f Analog, “Deus,” last week and it certainly showcased the “analog” point for this album. With lots modular synth work and what sounds like actual acoustic drums and bass in the intro, fans knew instantly Misanthrop wasn’t joking about the vibe on this album. That said, “Deus” still has a snappy, danceable beat and, while obviously experimental, still sets the tone for the album as resolutely drum & bass.
Your EDM was lucky enough to snag the second premiere “Heute Nacht” (Eng. “tonight”), a much more melodic fering than “Deus.” Here, Misanthrop plays with the empty space in the track in quite a different way from its predecessor. It helps to drive the melody with its eerie, sort half-key changes and space-inspired phrase transitions. All this is done consciously for effect, to replicate the feeling anticipation before a really good night out.
The accompanying video to “Heute Nacht,” shot in a sort stop motion style, rolls along with the track and adds to the immediacy and emotive nature it. Between song and video, even if the listener didn’t know what it was about, the vibe speaks for itself.
While Analog varies in style and story from track to track, it still makes a very singular and cohesive statement for itself as a whole work. The way that this album has been put together means each track is its own unique microsystem in the macrocosm the whole album. Every bit it is done with purpose. Expect a lot surprises from Analog.
“Heute Nacht” is out today and can be purchased or streamed here, where fans can also pre-order and pre-save the full album.